HAA5 Contamination

HAA5 in Alabama Drinking Water

Ranked by average HAA5 concentration (µg/L) · UCMR 4 data (2018–2020) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

109

Cities Tested

Exceeds Limit

% Exceeds Limit

16.6 µg/L

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

250

Health Violations

Analysis

HAA5 in Alabama: what the data shows

Alabama has 109 cities with HAA5 monitoring data from the EPA's UCMR 4 program (2018–2020). Haloacetic acids (HAA5) form when chlorine-based disinfectants react with natural organic matter in water. The state average is 16.6 µg/L — better than the 15.5 µg/L national average. 1 city exceeds the EPA MCL of 60 µg/L. HAA5 is a group of five chlorinated and brominated acetic acids. Long-term exposure above the MCL is associated with increased cancer risk and adverse reproductive outcomes. The EPA classifies total HAA5 as a probable human carcinogen at elevated concentrations. Activated carbon filtration (especially granular or block carbon) is effective at reducing HAA5. Running water through a refrigerator filter or letting it sit in an open pitcher for 30 minutes also helps, as some HAA5 species are volatile. Boiling does not remove disinfection byproducts and may concentrate them.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 60 µg/L EPA MCL

Alabama

1 of 109 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

23 of 4420 cities

City Map

HAA5 data across Alabama

Each dot is a city with UCMR 4 HAA5 testing data. Cities where average HAA5 exceeded the 60 µg/L EPA MCL are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by haa5 level in Alabama

Highest HAA5 levels (µg/L)

All Cities

All Alabama cities ranked by haa5 level

#	City	Level	Exceeds?	Violations	Grade
1	Ider	68.4 µg/L	Yes	22	D+
2	Boaz	54.9 µg/L	No	4	B+
3	Hamilton	50.3 µg/L	No	2	A-
4	Tuskegee	49.1 µg/L	No	30	F
5	Northport	45.3 µg/L	No	3	A-
6	Russellville	44.1 µg/L	No	1	B+
7	Lafayette	42.4 µg/L	No	5	A-
8	Somerville	41.8 µg/L	No	6	A
9	Opelika	39.6 µg/L	No	8	B
10	Cullman	36.5 µg/L	No	3	B+
11	Tuscaloosa	35.8 µg/L	No	3	A-
12	Albertville	35.2 µg/L	No	0	B
13	Redstone Arsenal	33.8 µg/L	No	24	B
14	Guin	33.5 µg/L	No	16	C-
15	Prichard	33.4 µg/L	No	13	C+
16	Auburn	33.3 µg/L	No	1	A-
17	Tallapoosa County	32.4 µg/L	No	1	A+
18	Huntsville	32.0 µg/L	No	0	C+
19	Grant	31.5 µg/L	No	3	A-
20	Wetumpka	30.9 µg/L	No	1	A-
21	Sheffield	30.7 µg/L	No	2	B+
22	Athens	30.6 µg/L	No	7	B
23	Scottsboro	30.5 µg/L	No	11	C+
24	Guntersville	30.4 µg/L	No	1	B+
25	Smiths	30.1 µg/L	No	0	B+
26	Haleyville	30.0 µg/L	No	2	A-
27	Brookwood	29.5 µg/L	No	3	A
28	Mobile	29.4 µg/L	No	2	A-
29	Muscle Shoals	28.2 µg/L	No	4	A-
30	Mt Hope	28.0 µg/L	No	2	B+
31	Hartselle	27.8 µg/L	No	6	A
32	Helena	26.9 µg/L	No	0	A
33	Clanton	25.9 µg/L	No	5	A-
34	Pelham	25.1 µg/L	No	2	A-
35	Alexander City	24.9 µg/L	No	6	B+
36	Columbiana	24.4 µg/L	No	2	B
37	Tuscumbia	23.8 µg/L	No	11	D+
38	Alabaster	23.8 µg/L	No	2	A-
39	Madison	23.7 µg/L	No	0	B+
40	Jasper	23.5 µg/L	No	9	B+
41	Bessemer	22.1 µg/L	No	3	B-
42	Valley	22.0 µg/L	No	1	B
43	Theodore	21.9 µg/L	No	5	C
44	Rainsville	21.5 µg/L	No	3	B
45	Phenix City	21.0 µg/L	No	4	C+
46	Birmingham	20.7 µg/L	No	1	A-
47	Montgomery	20.6 µg/L	No	1	A-
48	Loachapoka	19.4 µg/L	No	2	A-
49	Decatur	18.8 µg/L	No	1	B+
50	Millbrook	18.4 µg/L	No	0	B-
51	Citronelle	18.2 µg/L	No	2	D
52	Fort Payne	18.0 µg/L	No	3	C+
53	Florence	17.6 µg/L	No	7	D
54	Sylacauga	15.3 µg/L	No	2	A-
55	Pell City	15.3 µg/L	No	3	B+
56	Oneonta	15.1 µg/L	No	3	A
57	Arab	14.5 µg/L	No	0	A+
58	Gadsden	13.1 µg/L	No	18	C+
59	Union Grove	10.8 µg/L	No	1	A-
60	Talladega	10.6 µg/L	No	5	C
61	Odenville	8.3 µg/L	No	0	B+
62	Vinemont	6.9 µg/L	No	1	A
63	Calera	6.1 µg/L	No	0	A
64	Demopolis	5.4 µg/L	No	6	B+
65	Greenville	5.2 µg/L	No	13	C+
66	Anniston	4.9 µg/L	No	0	A+
67	Elmore	3.9 µg/L	No	1	A-
68	Andalusia	3.9 µg/L	No	3	C+
69	Snowdoun	3.3 µg/L	No	0	A
70	Carrollton	3.2 µg/L	No	4	B-
71	Ozark	2.8 µg/L	No	1	B
72	Orange Beach	2.8 µg/L	No	1	C-
73	Cleveland	2.7 µg/L	No	5	B
74	Southside	2.7 µg/L	No	0	B+
75	Red Bay	2.7 µg/L	No	1	B+
76	Leeds	2.1 µg/L	No	3	A-
77	Douglas	2.0 µg/L	No	1	A-
78	Troy	2.0 µg/L	No	11	B
79	Thorsby	2.0 µg/L	No	0	A
80	Bay Minette	1.9 µg/L	No	1	D
81	Evergreen	1.7 µg/L	No	3	B-
82	Eufaula	1.7 µg/L	No	9	A-
83	Ashford	1.7 µg/L	No	0	A-
84	Ft Mitchell	1.6 µg/L	No	0	A+
85	Trussville	1.4 µg/L	No	0	A-
86	Alexandria	1.3 µg/L	No	1	A+
87	Foley	1.3 µg/L	No	4	B
88	Gulf Shores	1.3 µg/L	No	1	A
89	Uniontown	1.1 µg/L	No	1	A
90	Jacksonville	1.0 µg/L	No	4	A-
91	Brantley	0.9 µg/L	No	2	B+
92	Enterprise	0.8 µg/L	No	5	B
93	Ft. Rucker	0.8 µg/L	No	1	A+
94	Piedmont	0.7 µg/L	No	2	A
95	Abbeville	0.7 µg/L	No	2	D+
96	Selma	0.6 µg/L	No	6	D+
97	New Brockton	0.6 µg/L	No	7	C+
98	Dothan	0.6 µg/L	No	1	B
99	Rainbow City	0.5 µg/L	No	1	A
100	Fairhope	0.5 µg/L	No	1	B
101	Atmore	0.4 µg/L	No	2	B-
102	Oxford	0.4 µg/L	No	2	B+
103	Hayneville	0.3 µg/L	No	3	B+
104	Hartford	0.3 µg/L	No	1	C-
105	Prattville	0.3 µg/L	No	7	F
106	Daphne	0.3 µg/L	No	9	D
107	Saraland	0.3 µg/L	No	1	C-
108	Livingston	0.1 µg/L	No	6	A-
109	Union Springs	0.1 µg/L	No	5	A

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about haa5 in Alabama

What is HAA5 and why does it appear in Alabama tap water?

HAA5 (haloacetic acids) are disinfection byproducts that form when chlorine reacts with naturally occurring organic matter in source water. They are a normal byproduct of the disinfection process that makes water safe to drink. 1 cities in Alabama exceed the EPA MCL of 60 µg/L. The state average is 16.6 µg/L.

How can I reduce HAA5 exposure from Alabama drinking water?

Activated carbon filters (granular or block) effectively reduce HAA5. Refrigerator filters and under-sink carbon systems are convenient options. Unlike lead or PFAS, HAA5 levels can also be reduced by letting water stand in an open container, as some species evaporate. Boiling does NOT remove HAA5 and can concentrate them by reducing water volume.

Which Alabama cities have the highest HAA5 levels?

The cities with the highest average HAA5 concentrations in Alabama are: Ider (68.4 µg/L), Boaz (54.9 µg/L), Hamilton (50.3 µg/L), Tuskegee (49.1 µg/L), Northport (45.3 µg/L). Note: this data is from UCMR 4 testing (2018–2020) and may not reflect current levels.

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