Strontium Contamination

Strontium in Alabama Drinking Water

Ranked by max strontium detected (µg/L) · UCMR 3 data (2013–2015) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

104

Cities Tested

Over HRL

% Over HRL

250.8 µg/L

State Avg

▼ 2% vs national

vs National

250

Health Violations

Analysis

Strontium in Alabama: what the data shows

Alabama has 104 cities with strontium data from the EPA's UCMR 3 program (2013–2015). Strontium was detected above the 1,500 µg/L EPA health reference level in 4 of those cities. The state average max detected level is 250.8 µg/L. Strontium occurs naturally in groundwater, particularly in areas with limestone and dolomite geology. It can also enter water from industrial waste and mining operations. There is no federal MCL for strontium, but the EPA established a health reference level (HRL) of 1,500 µg/L. Long-term exposure to strontium above the HRL may affect bone health, particularly in children, by substituting for calcium in developing bones. Reverse osmosis and ion exchange systems are effective at removing strontium from drinking water.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 1,500 µg/L EPA HRL (no MCL)

Alabama

4 of 104 cities

← ▼ 2% below national rate (better)

National avg

250 of 4371 cities

City Map

Strontium data across Alabama

Each dot is a city with UCMR 3 strontium testing data. Cities where strontium exceeds the 1,500 µg/L EPA health reference level are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by strontium level in Alabama

Highest Strontium levels (µg/L)

All Cities

All Alabama cities ranked by strontium level

#	City	Level	Over HRL?	Violations	Grade
1	Enterprise	3750.0 µg/L	Over HRL	5	B
2	Andalusia	3070.0 µg/L	Over HRL	3	C+
3	Opp	1782.8 µg/L	Over HRL	2	A-
4	Montgomery	1510.8 µg/L	Over HRL	1	A-
5	Selma	1300.0 µg/L	No	6	D+
6	Ft. Rucker	1170.1 µg/L	No	1	A+
7	Dothan	1170.0 µg/L	No	1	B
8	Troy	810.0 µg/L	No	11	B
9	Marion	775.0 µg/L	No	5	B+
10	Elmore	640.0 µg/L	No	1	A-
11	Headland	510.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
12	Livingston	480.0 µg/L	No	6	A-
13	Ozark	402.0 µg/L	No	1	B
14	Talladega	396.0 µg/L	No	5	C
15	Carrollton	390.0 µg/L	No	4	B-
16	Prattville	340.0 µg/L	No	7	F
17	Theodore	340.0 µg/L	No	5	C
18	Phenix City	320.0 µg/L	No	4	C+
19	Thorsby	310.0 µg/L	No	0	A
20	Sardis	289.0 µg/L	No	0	A
21	Greenville	270.0 µg/L	No	13	C+
22	Odenville	240.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
23	Bay Minette	170.0 µg/L	No	1	D
24	Millbrook	160.0 µg/L	No	0	B-
25	Madison	156.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
26	Brundidge	155.3 µg/L	No	1	B+
27	Huntsville	150.0 µg/L	No	0	C+
28	Fort Payne	150.0 µg/L	No	3	C+
29	Demopolis	140.0 µg/L	No	6	B+
30	Tuscumbia	135.0 µg/L	No	11	D+
31	Leeds	132.0 µg/L	No	3	A-
32	Daphne	130.0 µg/L	No	9	D
33	Athens	120.0 µg/L	No	7	B
34	Citronelle	120.0 µg/L	No	2	D
35	Helena	120.0 µg/L	No	0	A
36	Bessemer	110.0 µg/L	No	3	B-
37	Scottsboro	110.0 µg/L	No	11	C+
38	Alabaster	100.0 µg/L	No	2	A-
39	Russellville	100.0 µg/L	No	1	B+
40	Piedmont	99.0 µg/L	No	2	A
41	Mt Hope	96.0 µg/L	No	2	B+
42	Mobile	91.0 µg/L	No	2	A-
43	Ashville	90.0 µg/L	No	3	A
44	Douglas	88.0 µg/L	No	1	A-
45	Hartselle	87.1 µg/L	No	6	A
46	Somerville	83.3 µg/L	No	6	A
47	Muscle Shoals	83.0 µg/L	No	4	A-
48	Redstone Arsenal	80.0 µg/L	No	24	B
49	Arab	80.0 µg/L	No	0	A+
50	Vinemont	80.0 µg/L	No	1	A
51	Kennedy	79.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
52	Cleveland	78.2 µg/L	No	5	B
53	Sheffield	76.0 µg/L	No	2	B+
54	Florence	75.3 µg/L	No	7	D
55	Birmingham	74.0 µg/L	No	1	A-
56	Decatur	74.0 µg/L	No	1	B+
57	Rainsville	73.0 µg/L	No	3	B
58	Sylacauga	73.0 µg/L	No	2	A-
59	Pelham	72.2 µg/L	No	2	A-
60	Albertville	69.0 µg/L	No	0	B
61	Gadsden	68.0 µg/L	No	18	C+
62	Boaz	68.0 µg/L	No	4	B+
63	Columbiana	67.0 µg/L	No	2	B
64	Trussville	62.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
65	Saraland	62.0 µg/L	No	1	C-
66	Guntersville	62.0 µg/L	No	1	B+
67	Clanton	61.0 µg/L	No	5	A-
68	Southside	61.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
69	Mulga	61.0 µg/L	No	3	B
70	Rainbow City	59.0 µg/L	No	1	A
71	Pell City	58.5 µg/L	No	3	B+
72	Uniontown	55.4 µg/L	No	1	A
73	Oneonta	49.7 µg/L	No	3	A
74	Jasper	49.0 µg/L	No	9	B+
75	Alexandria	48.0 µg/L	No	1	A+
76	Autaugaville	47.2 µg/L	No	0	B+
77	Smiths	44.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
78	Auburn	40.0 µg/L	No	1	A-
79	Oxford	40.0 µg/L	No	2	B+
80	Loachapoka	39.6 µg/L	No	2	A-
81	Valley	39.1 µg/L	No	1	B
82	Fairhope	39.0 µg/L	No	1	B
83	Heflin	39.0 µg/L	No	5	D+
84	Anniston	38.0 µg/L	No	0	A+
85	Opelika	37.0 µg/L	No	8	B
86	Northport	37.0 µg/L	No	3	A-
87	Cullman	36.0 µg/L	No	3	B+
88	Prichard	36.0 µg/L	No	13	C+
89	Lanett	36.0 µg/L	No	2	B+
90	Townley	36.0 µg/L	No	2	A
91	Gulf Shores	34.0 µg/L	No	1	A
92	Jacksonville	34.0 µg/L	No	4	A-
93	Orange Beach	32.0 µg/L	No	1	C-
94	Atmore	30.0 µg/L	No	2	B-
95	Calera	29.0 µg/L	No	0	A
96	Tuskegee	29.0 µg/L	No	30	F
97	Tuscaloosa	28.0 µg/L	No	3	A-
98	Double Springs	27.4 µg/L	No	7	A-
99	Wetumpka	27.0 µg/L	No	1	A-
100	Haleyville	27.0 µg/L	No	2	A-
101	Eufaula	26.0 µg/L	No	9	A-
102	Alexander City	21.0 µg/L	No	6	B+
103	Foley	18.9 µg/L	No	4	B
104	Allgood	16.7 µg/L	No	2	A

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about strontium in Alabama

Is strontium in Alabama tap water harmful?

Strontium at low levels is not considered harmful, but the EPA set a health reference level (HRL) of 1,500 µg/L based on potential bone effects. 4 cities in Alabama exceed this HRL. There is currently no federal MCL for strontium. Children may be more susceptible because strontium can substitute for calcium in developing bones.

How can I remove strontium from my drinking water?

Reverse osmosis and ion exchange (water softener) systems are effective at removing strontium from drinking water. Standard carbon filters are NOT effective. If your water comes from a well in an area with limestone or dolomite geology, consider testing for strontium.

More contaminants