Water Quality Report · Updated May 12, 2026
MADISON COUNTY WATER DEPARTMENT
MADISON COUNTY WATER DEPARTMENT delivers tap water graded C (71/100) by TapWaterSafety.org. The utility serves approximately 119,100 residents in HUNTSVILLE, Alabama using surface water (purchased). 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. For questions, the utility can be reached at 256-746-2888.
Is HUNTSVILLE tap water safe to drink?
MADISON COUNTY WATER DEPARTMENT delivers tap water that earns a grade of C (71/100) from TapWaterSafety.org — an average rating, with several contaminants above health guidelines but generally compliant with US legal limits.
The utility serves 119,100 residents in HUNTSVILLE, drawing from surface water (purchased).
Public testing data identifies 6 contaminants in this water above EWG's health-based guidelines, including: Haloacetic acids (HAA9), Haloacetic acids (HAA5), Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Nitrate, Nitrate and nitrite, Chromium (hexavalent). For most residents, a properly certified home filter at the kitchen tap is the most cost-effective way to reduce exposure to whatever's in your water. See our filter recommendations below, matched specifically to this utility's contaminant profile.
Quick actions for HUNTSVILLE residents
Top concerns in this water
Based on the most recent EPA and EWG data, these are the most significant water quality issues for MADISON COUNTY WATER DEPARTMENT.
Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernHaloacetic 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 concernHaloacetic 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 concernTotal trihalomethanes (TTHMs) detected at 34.3 ppb, 228x above the EWG health guideline of 0.15 ppb.
Contact MADISON COUNTY WATER DEPARTMENT
Reach the utility directly for service issues, water quality concerns, or to request your Consumer Confidence Report.
General Contact
Treatment Plant
Recommended water filters for HUNTSVILLE
Filters matched to the specific contaminants in this water supply.
Carbon block (NSF/ANSI 42 + 53)
$40-$750Activated carbon is highly effective for disinfection byproducts like TTHM and HAA5.
Disclosure: TapWaterSafety earns a commission from purchases made through these links. This does not influence our scoring methodology or filter selection.
Score breakdown
This utility's overall score of 71/100 breaks down across five weighted components. Read the full methodology →
Contaminants detected — international standards comparison
Every contaminant detected, compared side-by-side against US EPA legal limits, the EU Drinking Water Directive (2020/2184), WHO Guidelines, and California's Public Health Goal (the strictest US benchmark). 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 |
| 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 |
| Chromium (hexavalent) Heavy metal |
0.208 ppb | 0.02 | — | — | — | — | — | 10× over |
| Chlorate Disinfection byproduct |
131.0 ppb | 210.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| 1,4-Dioxane Semi-volatile organic compound |
0.045 ppb | 0.35 | — | — | 50 | 1 | — | Below guideline |
| Aluminum Heavy metal |
9.67 ppb | 600.0 | — | 200 | — | 600 | — | Below guideline |
| Barium Heavy metal |
9.0 ppb | 700.0 | 2000.0 | — | 1300 | 2000 | — | Below guideline |
| Vanadium Other |
0.135 ppb | 21.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Manganese Heavy metal |
0.567 ppb | 100.0 | — | 50 | 80 | — | — | Below guideline |
| Strontium Radiological |
0.0494 ppb | 1500.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Fluoride Inorganic |
0.47 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 (4th ed.), California OEHHA PHGs, EWG Tap Water Database.
MADISON COUNTY WATER DEPARTMENT service area
This water system serves 1 community in Madison County, Alabama. Click any city for its dedicated tap water quality page.
Find the right filter for HUNTSVILLE water
Browse filter categories by water-quality concern. Each option below is NSF-certified for the matched contaminant type.