WaterVerge

Is Troy, AL Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B, with 1 unresolved violation on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

36K residents served 2 water systems PWSID: AL0001124
Overall Score
79 / 100
Violations
1 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#266 of 353 in Alabama Top 54% nationally
Local Government
High data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
BGRADE
Water Quality Grade
79/100
waterverge.com
B 79/100

Troy, AL — Water Quality Report

Troy's drinking water received a grade of B (79 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 35,544 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. UCMR 5 testing detected 2 PFAS compounds in the water supply.

The system has 122 violations on record, including 11 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.

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

What to know about Troy's water

Troy ranks #266 out of 353 cities in Alabama for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state.

Troy 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.

PFAS compounds were detected in testing, though levels remain within current EPA limits. Residents seeking extra precaution may consider an activated carbon or reverse osmosis filter.

The system has seen 6 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
79 out of 100 Grade B
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
26.1/45
D
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17.9/20
B
2 PFAS compounds detected.
Compliance
10/10
A
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Troy, AL water safe to drink?

Use Caution

Troy's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of B (79/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 35,544 residents using groundwater (wells).

1
Active Violations
1.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
2 compounds
PFAS Detected
10 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Troy

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

PFAS
2 PFAS "forever chemical" compounds detected

Detected at levels within current EPA limits. PFAS persist indefinitely in the environment.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Troy's water quality assessment. Grade: B (79/100).

Disaster
HURRICANE HELENE

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

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Dinoseb.

Violation
4 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U, Radium-226, Gross Beta Particle Activity.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Groundwater Rule.

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 1.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

PFAS (2 compounds) Elevated
Detected: Highest: lithium at 13.1000 µg/L Limit: 0.004 µg/L (EPA MCL)

Detected but within current EPA limits. PFAS do not break down in the environment and can accumulate in the body over time. An activated carbon filter can reduce exposure.

PFAS "forever chemicals" detected

UCMR 5 testing found 2 PFAS compounds in Troy's water supply. PFAS are synthetic chemicals that persist indefinitely in the environment and the human body.

Compound Level EPA MCL Status
lithium 13.1000 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Within Limit
6:2 FTS 0.0084 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Within Limit

Violation history

Troy's water system has 122 total violations on record, including 11 health-based violations. 1 remain unresolved. 6 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MRMONMCL
Most recent violations:
Jan 2024 Dinoseb Resolved
Oct 2023 Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U Resolved
Oct 2023 Radium-226 Resolved
Oct 2023 Gross Beta Particle Activity Resolved
Oct 2023 Radium-228 Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Pike County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 2004. 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-4563
HURRICANE SALLY
Hurricane FEMA DR-3545

Where does Troy's water come from?

Troy's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 2 water systems serving approximately 35,544 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Troy residents can do

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

Troy'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
1.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 7% of limit
Safe Level
lithium
PFAS / Forever Chemical
Near MCL
13.1000 µg/L
EPA MCL: 0.004 µg/L · +20% over limit
Detected
HAA5 (Disinfection Byproducts)
Disinfection Byproduct
Safe
2.0 µg/L
EPA MCL: 60 µg/L · 3% of limit
Within LimitUCMR 4 DataHAA6Br: 1.5 µg/LHAA9: 3.2 µg/L
Strontium
Inorganic
Elevated
810.0 µg/L
EPA Health Ref Level: 1,500 µg/L · 54% of limit
DetectedUCMR 3 Data
Manganese
Inorganic
Detected
8.8 µg/L
EPA Secondary MCL: 50 µg/L · 18% of limit
DetectedUCMR 4 Data
Molybdenum
Inorganic
Detected
1.10 µg/L
EPA Lifetime HA: 40 µg/L · 3% of limit
DetectedUCMR 3 Data
Lithium
Inorganic
Detected
13.1 µg/L
State screening level: 60 µg/L · 22% of limit
DetectedNo federal MCLUCMR 5 Data (2023–2025)
PFAS Testing

Forever chemicals overview

National PFAS report →
30
Compounds tested
2
Detected
0
Exceed EPA MCL
Compliance Record

Violation summary

122
Total violations
11
Health-based
1
Active / unresolved
Jan 2024
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

122 Total
1 Active
11 Health-based
121 Resolved
Violations by category
Volatile Organic Chemicals
42
Synthetic Organic Chemicals
31
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
28
Inorganic Chemicals
7
Radionuclides and Revised Rad Rule
6
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jan 2024 Resolved
Dinoseb
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2024
Oct 2023 Resolved
Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2023
Oct 2023 Resolved
Radium-226
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2023
Oct 2023 Resolved
Gross Beta Particle Activity
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2023
Oct 2023 Resolved
Radium-228
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2023
Oct 2021 Resolved
Groundwater Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Oct 2021
Jul 2020 Resolved
Endrin
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2020
Jul 2020 Resolved
Methoxychlor
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2020
Jul 2020 Resolved
Dalapon
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2020
Jul 2020 Resolved
Endothall
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2020
Jul 2020 Resolved
Simazine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2020
Jul 2020 Resolved
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2020
Jul 2020 Resolved
Picloram
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2020
Jul 2020 Resolved
Hexachlorocyclopentadiene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2020
Jul 2020 Resolved
Atrazine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2020
Jul 2020 Resolved
LASSO
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2020
Jul 2020 Resolved
Heptachlor
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2020
Jul 2020 Resolved
Heptachlor epoxide
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2020
Jul 2020 Resolved
2,4-D
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2020
Showing 20 of 122 violations
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Troy

Industrial polluters nearby

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

Total reported releases to surface water: 40 lbs

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
SANDERS LEAD CO INC.
Primary Metals · SANDERS LEAD CO INC
TROY, AL36079
Lead401.3 mi
PERMACAST
Plastics and Rubber · VALIDOR CAPITAL
TROY, AL36081
0.4 mi
KW PLASTICS
Chemicals · KW PLASTICS
TROY, AL36079
1.1 mi
KIMBER
Fabricated Metals · KIMBER MFG INC
TROY, AL36081
2.8 mi
READY MIX USA LLC - TROY
Nonmetallic Mineral Product · CEMEX INC
TROY, AL36081
1.3 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D3 — extreme drought

Pike 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

Pike County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 2004. 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 #4563
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

Recommended water filters

Based on contaminants detected in Troy's water supply, we recommend the following filter types.

🧪
For PFAS
Reverse Osmosis or Activated Carbon Block
2 PFAS compounds detected

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 1.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
11Cl-PF3OUdS ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
4:2 FTS ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
6:2 FTS 0.008 HI µg/L PFAS Detected
8:2 FTS ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
ADONA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
HFPO-DA ND 0.01 µg/L PFAS Not Detected
lithium 13.100 HI µg/L PFAS Detected
NEtFOSAA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
NFDHA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
NMeFOSAA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFBA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFBS ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFDA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFDoA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFEESA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFHpA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFHpS ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFHxA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFHxS ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFMBA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFMPA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFNA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFOA ND 0.004 µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFOS ND 0.004 µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFPeA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFPeS ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFTA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFTrDA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFUnA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 4.0 ppb from 1992 (5.0 ppb) to 2025 (1.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
35,544
Water Systems
2
Water Source

Where Troy's water comes from

Groundwater

Troy'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 35,544 people through 2 water systems.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Troy

System Name PWSID Population Source
TROY UTILITIES, CITY OF AL0001124 23,523 GW
PIKE COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY AL0001120 12,021 GW
Regional Comparison

How Troy compares

Full Alabama rankings →

Troy's score of 79/100 is on par with the average of 78/100 among major Alabama cities. It outscores 4 of 10 nearby cities. 6 of 10 nearby cities score higher.

Troy (this city)
79
Birmingham
89.2
Huntsville
69.8
Montgomery
88.7
Mobile
87.9
Tuscaloosa
87.6
Alabama avg
78
City Profile

About Troy, AL

Economic Profile
$38,783
Median Income
$190,945
Median Home Value
$826/mo
Median Rent
3.5%
Unemployment
Community
24.3
Median Age
242
People / sq mi
37.8%
College Educated
48.7%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Troy, AL tap water safe to drink?

Troy's water quality earned a grade of B (79/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #266 out of 353 cities tested in Alabama.

What contaminants are in Troy's water?

Lead was measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile). 2 PFAS compounds were detected. 122 violations are on record.

How is Troy'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 Troy?

PFAS compounds have been detected. A filter with activated carbon can help reduce exposure.

Where does Troy's water come from?

Troy's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 35,544 residents.

What health violations has Troy's water system had?

Troy has 11 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 1 violation remains unresolved.

Is Troy's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Troy 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 122 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 Troy's water compare to other cities?

Troy ranks #266 out of 353 cities in Alabama (better than 25% of state cities) and #8408 out of 15744 cities nationally (47th percentile). The grade of B reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.