Dothan
Dothan, AL water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
dothan utilities, city of
groundwater (wells) · local government · PWSID AL0000681
Below EPA's 15 ppb lead action level at last testing.
Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) · 2026 Q1
Dothan, AL is a small but growing city, with a population near 68,567 and the 7th-largest community in Alabama. Like much of Alabama, Dothan draws its water primarily from Tennessee River, Mobile River basin, and groundwater.
Dothan's water outlook is shaped most by aging infrastructure — the issue that dominates planning across Alabama. Abundant rainfall keeps supply pressure low, but aging systems and industrial contamination drive most water concerns.
Dothan sits in a state that reuses roughly 6% of treated wastewater (minimal programs) and currently experiences abnormally dry to moderate drought.
For the bigger picture, see the Alabama state water profile and the related issues below.
Houston County water quality
Source: EPA SDWIS · 2026 Q1
At a glance
- Population ~68,567 (7th-largest in Alabama)
- Primary sources: Tennessee River, Mobile River basin, and groundwater
- Drought: abnormally dry to moderate conditions
- State reuse rate: ~6% of wastewater
Statewide drought history
% of Alabama in severe+ drought (Moderate (D1) now).
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor
Common questions
Is tap water safe in Dothan?
Dothan's largest water system, DOTHAN UTILITIES, CITY OF, serves about 97,146 people. EPA records show 0 health-based violation(s) since 2016 and a most-recent 90th-percentile lead level of 3.2 ppb (EPA action level is 15 ppb). Always check your own provider's annual Consumer Confidence Report.
Where does Dothan get its water?
DOTHAN UTILITIES, CITY OF draws primarily from groundwater (wells), part of Alabama's supply from Tennessee River, Mobile River basin, groundwater.
Related water issues
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.
Explore