WaterVerge

Is Ramer, AL Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A, with 5 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

2K residents served 2 water systems PWSID: AL0001074
Overall Score
90.5 / 100
Violations
5 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#95 of 353 in Alabama Top 14% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
AGRADE
Water Quality Grade
90.5/100
waterverge.com
A 90.5/100

Ramer, AL — Water Quality Report

Ramer's drinking water received a grade of A (90.5 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,986 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 1.9 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.

The system has 74 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Ramer's water

Ramer ranks #95 out of 353 cities in Alabama for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.

Ramer relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.

As a small community water system, Ramer may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
90.5 out of 100 Grade A
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
40.5/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 1.9 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Ramer, AL water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Ramer's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A (90.5/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,986 residents using groundwater (wells).

5
Active Violations
1.9 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
10 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Ramer

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Ramer's water quality assessment. Grade: A (90.5/100).

Disaster
HURRICANE HELENE

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3618). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
HURRICANE SALLY

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3545). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: LASSO.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Ramer's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 1.9 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Ramer's water system has 74 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved.

MRMON
Most recent violations:
Jan 2020 LASSO Resolved
Sep 2017 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved
Nov 2011 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Aug 2006 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Aug 2001 Coliform (TCR) Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Montgomery County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1995. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.

HURRICANE HELENE
Hurricane FEMA DR-3618
HURRICANE SALLY
Hurricane FEMA DR-3545
HURRICANE MICHAEL
Hurricane FEMA DR-3407

Where does Ramer's water come from?

Ramer's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 2 water systems serving approximately 1,986 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Ramer residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Ramer's water.

Request your utility's CCR

Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.

Monitor alerts during storms

Ramer's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.

Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
1.9 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 13% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

74
Total violations
0
Health-based
5
Active / unresolved
Jan 2020
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

74 Total
5 Active
0 Health-based
69 Resolved
Violations by category
Volatile Organic Chemicals
42
Inorganic Chemicals
11
Total Coliform Rule
7
Synthetic Organic Chemicals
3
Lead and Copper Rule
3
Oct 2000 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jan 1995 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jan 1994 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jan 2020 Resolved
LASSO
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2022
Sep 2017 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Sep 2017
Nov 2011 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Nov 2011
Aug 2006 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Aug 2006
Aug 2001 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Aug 2001
Jun 1998 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 1998
Nov 1996 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Nov 1996
Oct 1996 Resolved
Ethylbenzene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1996
Oct 1996 Resolved
Xylenes, Total
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1996
Oct 1996 Resolved
1,2-Dichloroethane
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1996
Oct 1996 Resolved
Styrene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1996
Oct 1996 Resolved
Vinyl chloride
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1996
Oct 1996 Resolved
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1996
Oct 1996 Resolved
o-Dichlorobenzene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1996
Oct 1996 Resolved
1,1-Dichloroethylene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1996
Showing 20 of 74 violations
Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D3 — extreme drought

Montgomery County is currently in D3 (extreme drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.

14
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
17.2%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
14
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

10
Declared disasters
Sep 2024
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Montgomery County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1995. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Sep 2024
HURRICANE HELENE
Hurricane FEMA #3618
Sep 2020
HURRICANE SALLY
Hurricane FEMA #3545
Oct 2018
HURRICANE MICHAEL
Hurricane FEMA #3407
Oct 2017
HURRICANE NATE
Hurricane FEMA #3394
Sep 2017
HURRICANE IRMA
Hurricane FEMA #3389
Aug 2008
HURRICANE GUSTAV
Hurricane FEMA #3292

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 1.9 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 2.3 ppb from 1993 (5.0 ppb) to 2023 (2.7 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
1,986
Water Systems
2
Water Source

Where Ramer's water comes from

Groundwater

Ramer's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.

Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.

Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.

The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,986 people through 2 water systems.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Ramer

System Name PWSID Population Source
RAMER WATER COMPANY, INC. AL0001074 1,398 GW
PILGRIM-PROVIDENCE WATER AUTHORITY AL0001072 588 GW
Regional Comparison

How Ramer compares

Full Alabama rankings →

Ramer's score of 90.5/100 is above the average of 78/100 among major Alabama cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Ramer (this city)
90.5
Birmingham
89.2
Huntsville
69.8
Montgomery
88.7
Mobile
87.9
Tuscaloosa
87.6
Alabama avg
78
City Profile

About Ramer, AL

Wikipedia →

Ramer, also known as Athens, is an unincorporated community located in Montgomery County, Alabama, United States. The elevation is 469 feet (143 m). The community is located 23.9 miles (38.5 km) from the city of Montgomery.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Ramer, AL tap water safe to drink?

Ramer's water quality earned a grade of A (90.5/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #95 out of 353 cities tested in Alabama.

What contaminants are in Ramer's water?

Lead was measured at 1.9 ppb (90th percentile). 74 violations are on record.

How is Ramer's water quality grade calculated?

The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.

Do I need a water filter in Ramer?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Ramer's water come from?

Ramer's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 1,986 residents.

Is Ramer's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Ramer uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 74 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.

How does Ramer's water compare to other cities?

Ramer ranks #95 out of 353 cities in Alabama (better than 73% of state cities) and #2191 out of 15744 cities nationally (86th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.