Tap Water Quality Report

Tap water quality in HUNTSVILLE, Alabama

Served by 2 public water systems. 429,207 residents.

Average score 63/100
Utilities 2
Population 429,207
D
63/100
Below Average
ⓘ How did we get this rating?
Quick answer

Tap water in HUNTSVILLE, Alabama receives a grade of D (63/100) from TapWaterSafety.org. It's served by 2 public water systems, primarily MADISON COUNTY WATER DEPARTMENT. The most significant water quality concerns are: Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline; Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline; Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) significantly above health guideline; PFAS contamination; Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) significantly above health guideline. Data sources: EPA SDWIS, EPA ECHO, EWG Tap Water Database.

Data sources for this grade: utilities.csv EWG Tap Water Database ⓘ How did we get this rating?

What's in HUNTSVILLE's tap water

Top water quality concerns identified by the EPA and Environmental Working Group across the utilities serving HUNTSVILLE.

Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline

Moderate concern

Haloacetic acids (HAA9) detected at 47.8 ppb, 797x above the EWG health guideline of 0.06 ppb.

Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline

Moderate concern

Haloacetic acids (HAA5) detected at 33.0 ppb, 330x above the EWG health guideline of 0.1 ppb.

Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) significantly above health guideline

Moderate concern

Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) detected at 34.3 ppb, 228x above the EWG health guideline of 0.15 ppb.

PFAS contamination

Severe concern

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) detected. PFAS are persistent chemicals linked to cancer and immune effects with no known safe exposure threshold.

Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) significantly above health guideline

Moderate concern

Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) detected at 0.404 ppt, 404x above the EWG health guideline of 0.001 ppt.

Recommended filters for HUNTSVILLE

Filters matched to the specific contaminants in HUNTSVILLE's water supply.

Disclosure: TapWaterSafety earns a commission from purchases made through these links. This does not influence our scoring methodology or filter selection.

All contaminants detected in HUNTSVILLE's tap water

Every contaminant identified, compared side-by-side against US EPA legal limits, the EU Drinking Water Directive (2020/2184), WHO Guidelines, and California's Public Health Goal. Why we show multiple standards →

Contaminant Detected EWG
US health-based
EPA
US legal
EU DWD
Europe
WHO
global
CA PHG
strictest US
Tested
sample year
Status
Haloacetic acids (HAA9)
Disinfection byproduct
47.8 ppb 0.06 797× over
Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS)
PFAS
0.404 ppt 0.001 10.0 404× over
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
Disinfection byproduct
33.0 ppb 0.1 60.0 60 330× over
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
Disinfection byproduct
34.3 ppb 0.15 80.0 100 228× over
Nitrate
Inorganic
2.77 ppm 0.14 10.0 11.3 11.3 10 20× over
Nitrate and nitrite
Inorganic
2.87 ppm 0.14 10.0 11.3 11.3 10 20× over
Bromodichloromethane
Disinfection byproduct
1.06 ppb 0.06 18× over
Chloroform
Disinfection byproduct
5.06 ppb 0.4 13× over
Chromium (hexavalent)
Heavy metal
0.234 ppb 0.02 12× over
Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene)
Volatile organic compound
0.544 ppb 0.06 5.0 9.1× over
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
PFAS
0.605 ppt 0.09 4.0 100 100 0.007 6.7× over
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)
PFAS
1.95 ppt 0.3 4.0 100 100 1 6.5× over
Chlorate
Disinfection byproduct
139.6 ppb 210.0 Below guideline
Heptachlor epoxide
Other
0.00342 ppb 0.006 0.2 Below guideline
1,4-Dioxane
Semi-volatile organic compound
0.125 ppb 0.35 50 1 Below guideline
Chloromethane
Other
0.171 ppb 2.69 Below guideline
Aluminum
Heavy metal
30.1 ppb 600.0 200 600 Below guideline
Barium
Heavy metal
22.6 ppb 700.0 2000.0 1300 2000 Below guideline
Manganese
Heavy metal
1.39 ppb 100.0 50 80 Below guideline
Vanadium
Other
0.275 ppb 21.0 Below guideline
Perfluorobutanoic Acid (PFBA)
PFAS
3.01 ppt 1000.0 Below guideline
Molybdenum
Other
0.105 ppb 40.0 Below guideline
Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS)
PFAS
2.71 ppt 2000.0 Below guideline
Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA)
PFAS
0.658 ppt 1000.0 Below guideline
Perfluoropentanoic Acid (PFPeA)
PFAS
0.6 ppt 1000.0 Below guideline
Strontium
Radiological
0.0859 ppb 1500.0 Below guideline
Fluoride
Inorganic
0.507 ppm 4.0 1.5 1.5 Below guideline

All values in the unit of the detected level. Red cells indicate the detected level exceeds that standard. Some contaminants have limits in some jurisdictions but not others (shown as —). The "Tested" column shows the year each contaminant sample was collected.

Sources: US EPA, EU Drinking Water Directive 2020/2184, WHO Guidelines, California OEHHA PHGs, EWG Tap Water Database.

Treatment plant contact info

For service issues, water quality concerns, or to request a Consumer Confidence Report from MADISON COUNTY WATER DEPARTMENT.

Treatment Plant

FacilityBO HOWARD WELL NORTHWEST AREA + TREATMEN