WaterVerge

Is Rockford, AL Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A, with 4 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

4K residents served 2 water systems PWSID: AL0000353
Overall Score
90.9 / 100
Violations
4 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Purchased surface water
#84 of 353 in Alabama Top 13% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
AGRADE
Water Quality Grade
90.9/100
waterverge.com
A 90.9/100

Rockford, AL — Water Quality Report

Rockford's drinking water received a grade of A (90.9 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 4,002 residents using purchased surface water.

Lead levels were measured at 0.8 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 42 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Rockford's water

Rockford ranks #84 out of 353 cities in Alabama for water quality, placing it above average in the state.

The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
90.9 out of 100 Grade A
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
41.9/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.8 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
4/5
B
Water source: Purchased surface water.
Water Safety

Is Rockford, AL water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Rockford's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A (90.9/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 4,002 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).

4
Active Violations
0.8 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
10 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Rockford

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Rockford's water quality assessment. Grade: A (90.9/100).

Disaster
HURRICANE HELENE

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

Disaster
HURRICANE ZETA

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4573). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
4 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.

Violation
4 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).

Violation
4 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.8 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Rockford's water system has 42 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved.

MROther
Most recent violations:
Mar 2016 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Resolved
Mar 2016 TTHM Resolved
Mar 2016 TTHM Resolved
Mar 2016 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Resolved
Dec 2015 TTHM Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Coosa 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. Local water sources include Hatchet Creek Below Rockford.

HURRICANE HELENE
Hurricane FEMA DR-3618
HURRICANE ZETA
Hurricane FEMA DR-4573
HURRICANE SALLY
Hurricane FEMA DR-3545

Where does Rockford's water come from?

Rockford's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 2 water systems serving approximately 4,002 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Hatchet Creek Below Rockford (river).

What Rockford residents can do

Install a water filter

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

Rockford'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
0.8 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 6% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

42
Total violations
0
Health-based
4
Active / unresolved
Mar 2016
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

42 Total
4 Active
0 Health-based
38 Resolved
Violations by category
Volatile Organic Chemicals
20
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
16
Total Coliform Rule
2
Public Notice Rule and Revised PN Rule
1
Lead and Copper Rule
1
Jul 2012 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jul 2011 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Mar 2016 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2016
Mar 2016 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2016
Mar 2016 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2016
Mar 2016 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2016
Dec 2015 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2016
Dec 2015 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2016
Dec 2015 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2016
Dec 2015 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2016
Sep 2015 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2015
Sep 2015 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2015
Sep 2015 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2015
Sep 2015 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2015
Jun 2015 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2015
Jun 2015 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2015
Jun 2015 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2015
Jun 2015 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2015
Showing 20 of 42 violations
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Rockford

Industrial polluters nearby

Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Rockford, ranked by pounds discharged annually.

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
CENTRAL ALABAMA WOOD PRODUCTS LLC
Wood Products · INDUSTREE POLE & PILINGS LLC
NIXBURG, AL36026
7.1 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D2 — severe drought

Coosa County is currently in D2 (severe 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.

3
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
17.2%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
3
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

Coosa 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
Dec 2020
HURRICANE ZETA
Hurricane FEMA #4573
Sep 2020
HURRICANE SALLY
Hurricane FEMA #3545
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) 0.8 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 3.8 ppb from 1993 (5.0 ppb) to 2023 (1.2 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Purchased Surface Water
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
4,002
Water Systems
2
Water Source

Where Rockford's water comes from

Purchased Surface Water

Rockford's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.

Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards.

These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge.

The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 4,002 people through 2 water systems.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Rockford

Rockford is located near 1 notable water body. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.

Hatchet Creek Below Rockford
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Rockford

System Name PWSID Population Source
ROCKFORD UTILITIES BOARD, INC AL0000353 3,612 SWP
LAKE MITCHELL WATER, INCORPORATED AL0001799 390 SWP
Regional Comparison

How Rockford compares

Full Alabama rankings →

Rockford's score of 90.9/100 is above the average of 78/100 among major Alabama cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Rockford (this city)
90.9
Birmingham
89.2
Huntsville
69.8
Montgomery
88.7
Mobile
87.9
Tuscaloosa
87.6
Alabama avg
78
City Profile

About Rockford, AL

Wikipedia →

Rockford is a town in Coosa County, Alabama, United States. At the 2020 census, the population was 349. The town is the county seat of Coosa County and is part of the Talladega-Sylacauga Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Economic Profile
$36,250
Median Income
$342/mo
Median Rent
10.7%
Unemployment
Community
50.2
Median Age
99
People / sq mi
20.1%
College Educated
70.7%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Rockford, AL tap water safe to drink?

Rockford's water quality earned a grade of A (90.9/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #84 out of 353 cities tested in Alabama.

What contaminants are in Rockford's water?

Lead was measured at 0.8 ppb (90th percentile). 42 violations are on record.

How is Rockford'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 Rockford?

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

Where does Rockford's water come from?

Rockford's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 4,002 residents.

How does Rockford's water compare to other cities?

Rockford ranks #84 out of 353 cities in Alabama (better than 76% of state cities) and #1971 out of 15744 cities nationally (88th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.