Alabama
Alabama sits in the South and draws its water primarily from Tennessee River, Mobile River basin, and groundwater. With roughly 5.1 million residents, the state has minimal formal water reuse to date, reusing an estimated 6% of its treated wastewater.
Alabamawater quality & safety
Top violation drivers in Alabama
| Contaminant / rule | Systems |
|---|---|
| TTHM | 28 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | 20 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 14 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | 12 |
| Combined Radium (-226 and -228) | 3 |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate | 3 |
Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) · 2026 Q1 · health-based violations since 2016
Abundant rainfall keeps supply pressure low, but aging systems and industrial contamination drive most water concerns.
On the U.S. Drought Monitor scale, Alabama currently tracks around abnormally dry to moderate conditions. Alabama has 545 community water systems serving about 6 million people; EPA records show 80 of them (14.7%) with a health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violation since 2016. The pages below break down the water issues that matter most here and the communities working on solutions.
Drought history — severe+ extent
% of Alabama in severe drought or worse (D2+) each late summer.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor (NDMC/UNL, USDA, NOAA) · latest 2026-06-09
Water use (USGS 2015)
- Per-capita (public supply)
- 176 gpcd
- Total withdrawals
- 8.2 Bgal/d
- From groundwater
- 6.1%
- Irrigation share
- 2.7%
- Wastewater reused (est.)
- ~6%
Primary water sources
- ≈ Tennessee River
- ≈ Mobile River basin
- ≈ groundwater
Common questions
Is tap water safe in Alabama?
Alabama has 545 community water systems serving about 6 million people. EPA records show 80 of them (14.7%) with at least one health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violation since 2016, and 4 system(s) over the federal lead action level. Most large systems meet standards; check your specific city and your utility's annual report.
What contaminants are most common in Alabama's water?
The most frequent health-based violations involve TTHM, LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
How much water does Alabama use per person?
Public water systems in Alabama withdraw about 176 gallons per person per day (USGS 2015), drawing 6.1% of fresh water from groundwater.
How bad is the drought in Alabama?
As of 2026-06-09, 20.7% of Alabama is in drought (D1+) and 0% is in severe drought or worse, per the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Cities in Alabama
9 trackedBirmingham
Birmingham, AL water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Montgomery
Montgomery, AL water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Mobile
Mobile, AL water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Huntsville
Huntsville, AL water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa, AL water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Hoover
Hoover, AL water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Dothan
Dothan, AL water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Auburn
Auburn, AL water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Decatur
Decatur, AL water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Key issues in Alabama
Aging Infrastructure
Much of America's water infrastructure is decades past its design life, leaking trillions of gallons a year and demanding hundreds of billions in reinvestment.
ExplorePFAS Contamination
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances persist in water supplies for decades. New federal limits are forcing utilities nationwide to invest in advanced treatment.
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