01The verdict: is Red Level water safe?
Based on EPA testing data, Red Level's tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of A- (87.8/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 846 residents using groundwater (wells).
Nothing over a legal limit
Every contaminant measured in Red Level's water is within its EPA limit, and no violations are unresolved.
See the testing ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 2.4 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓22 violations in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓Red Level's drinking water received a grade of A- (87.8 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 846 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 2.4 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 23 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. All violations have been resolved.
Red Level ranks #156 out of 351 cities in Alabama for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state. Red Level 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, Red Level may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 22 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Red Level's water
Every contaminant flagged in Red Level, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 2.4 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Alabama
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Alabama
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Red Level's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 23 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. All violations have been resolved.
8 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▼ Down 2.6 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 2.4 ppb (2023) — 16% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Red Level's water comes from
Red Level's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater
Underground aquifers reached by wells — naturally filtered, but can carry minerals like arsenic and nitrate.
Local treatment
Groundwater generally needs less treatment — typically disinfection and, where needed, mineral removal.
1 system
1 water system, operated under local government ownership.
846 people
Residents served across Red Level's service area.
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 846 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| RED LEVEL WATER WORKS | AL0000378 | 846 | Groundwater |
Water bodies near Red Level
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05Pressure on Red Level's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Industrial discharge
1 facility within 10 miles reported 10 lb released to surface water in the latest EPA Toxics Release Inventory. Proximity doesn't equal tap contamination — treatment and hydrology decide — but it's pressure on the watershed.
Flood & storm history
10 federal disaster declarations on record for Covington County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Red Level compares
Scores for nearby Alabama cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Alabama average (78/100)
Red Level scores 87.8/100 — above the Alabama average of 78/100. It outscores 7 of 10 nearby cities. Full Alabama rankings →
89.2 / 100CHuntsville, AL
69.8 / 100AMontgomery, AL
88.7 / 100AMobile, AL
87.9 / 100ATuscaloosa, AL
87.6 / 100BBessemer, AL
72.5 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Red Level's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Red Level's water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.
Compare tested filters →Read your utility's annual report
Every utility must publish a yearly Consumer Confidence Report with its own testing results. It pairs well with the independent data on this page.
How to read a CCR →Watch for Red Level alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Red Level, AL tap water safe to drink?
Red Level's water quality earned a grade of A- (87.8/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #156 out of 351 cities tested in Alabama.
What contaminants are in Red Level's water?
Lead was measured at 2.4 ppb (90th percentile). 23 violations are on record.
How is Red Level'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 Red Level?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Red Level's water come from?
Red Level's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 846 residents.
What health violations has Red Level's water system had?
Red Level has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in May 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. All health violations have been resolved.
Is Red Level's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Red Level 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 23 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 Red Level's water compare to other cities?
Red Level ranks #156 out of 351 cities in Alabama (better than 56% of state cities) and #3817 out of 15382 cities nationally (75th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Red Level's small water system affect quality?
Red Level's system serves approximately 846 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 23 violations on record.