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Not health advice. Contact your local water utility for concerns.
Data from EPA Water Quality Reports. For official information, contact your water utility or health department.
EPA records for GADSDEN, THE WWSB OF THE CITY OF • Updated September 2026
Grade D — based on EPA compliance records, lead testing and PFAS monitoring
GADSDEN, THE WWSB OF THE CITY OF has notable problems in EPA's records — health-based violations, elevated lead or PFAS above the federal limit. A certified filter is a reasonable precaution.
Gadsden's tap water grades D on EPA's records. PFOA or PFOS was measured at or above the 4 ppt federal limit. A certified filter matched to those issues is a sensible precaution.
Gadsden grades D. PFOA or PFOS was measured at or above the 4 ppt federal limit. The water is legal to drink, but a certified filter matched to these findings is a reasonable precaution.
GADSDEN, THE WWSB OF THE CITY OF's most recent Lead and Copper Rule result (2022-01-01 to 2024-12-31) was 2.5 ppb at the 90th percentile, below EPA's 15 ppb action level. Because lead usually comes from service lines and household plumbing, homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
Yes. EPA's UCMR5 sampling (2023-07-12 to 2024-04-02) detected PFBA, PFBS, PFHpA, PFHxA, PFHxS, PFOA, PFOS, PFPeA, with PFOA or PFOS at or above the 4 ppt federal MCL. Reverse osmosis and certified activated-carbon filters reduce PFAS.
GADSDEN, THE WWSB OF THE CITY OF has 23 violations on file since 2016: 0 health-based in the last five years and 23 monitoring or reporting violations in that window. Monitoring violations are paperwork lapses, not measured contamination.
GADSDEN, THE WWSB OF THE CITY OF reports surface water as its primary source and serves about 44,637 people (EPA PWSID AL0000577).
We recommend one. Reverse osmosis or a PFAS-certified carbon filter addresses the PFAS result.
Want to know what's really in your Gadsden tap water?
PFOA or PFOS was measured at or above EPA's 4 ppt limit in Gadsden's UCMR5 sampling.
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GADSDEN, THE WWSB OF THE CITY OF · SDWIS records since 2016 · 5-year window starts 2021-09-07
EPA records no health-based violations for this system in the last five years. The 23 violations on file in that window are monitoring or reporting paperwork issues, not measured contaminant exceedances.
| Violation | Category | Compliance period | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)TTHM | Monitoring & reporting | 2023-05-18 → 2023-08-27 | Resolvedreturned 2023-08-27 |
| Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Monitoring & reporting | 2023-05-18 → 2023-08-27 | Resolvedreturned 2023-08-27 |
| Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)TTHM | Monitoring & reporting | 2023-02-23 → 2023-05-21 | Resolvedreturned 2023-05-21 |
| Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Monitoring & reporting | 2023-02-23 → 2023-05-21 | Resolvedreturned 2023-05-21 |
| Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Monitoring & reporting | 2022-11-23 → 2023-02-26 | Resolvedreturned 2023-02-26 |
| Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)TTHM | Monitoring & reporting | 2022-11-23 → 2023-02-26 | Resolvedreturned 2023-02-26 |
| Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)TTHM | Monitoring & reporting | 2022-08-25 → 2022-11-29 | Resolvedreturned 2022-11-29 |
| Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Monitoring & reporting | 2022-08-25 → 2022-11-29 | Resolvedreturned 2022-11-29 |
| Monitoring and Reporting (DBP)CARBON, TOTAL | Monitoring & reporting | 2022-01-01 → 2022-03-31 | Resolvedreturned 2022-03-11 |
| Monitoring, RegularArsenic | Monitoring & reporting | 2022-01-01 → 2022-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2022-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularBarium | Monitoring & reporting | 2022-01-01 → 2022-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2022-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularCadmium | Monitoring & reporting | 2022-01-01 → 2022-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2022-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularNickel | Monitoring & reporting | 2022-01-01 → 2022-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2022-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularNitrite | Monitoring & reporting | 2022-01-01 → 2022-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2022-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularBeryllium, Total | Monitoring & reporting | 2022-01-01 → 2022-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2022-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularThallium, Total | Monitoring & reporting | 2022-01-01 → 2022-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2022-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularNitrate | Monitoring & reporting | 2022-01-01 → 2022-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2022-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularChromium | Monitoring & reporting | 2022-01-01 → 2022-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2022-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularAntimony, Total | Monitoring & reporting | 2022-01-01 → 2022-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2022-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularCYANIDE | Monitoring & reporting | 2022-01-01 → 2022-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2022-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularMercury | Monitoring & reporting | 2022-01-01 → 2022-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2022-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularFluoride | Monitoring & reporting | 2022-01-01 → 2022-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2022-12-31 |
| Monitoring, RegularSelenium | Monitoring & reporting | 2022-01-01 → 2022-12-31 | Resolvedreturned 2022-12-31 |
Source: ECHO SDWA bulk download (SDWA_VIOLATIONS_ENFORCEMENT.csv, SDWIS 2026Q2, file dated 2026-07-09, fetched 2026-09-06)
EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile results reported by GADSDEN, THE WWSB OF THE CITY OF
Well below the 15 ppb action level. In the most recent monitoring period on file (2022-01-01 to 2024-12-31), 90% of the homes GADSDEN, THE WWSB OF THE CITY OF sampled had lead at or below 2.5 ppb.
EPA's action level is 15 ppb (dropping to 10 ppb under the 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Improvements). There is no safe level of lead; the 90th-percentile figure describes the system, not your tap — homes with lead service lines or pre-1986 plumbing can be higher.
| Monitoring period | Lead 90th percentile | vs 15 ppb action level |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-01-01 → 2024-12-31 | 2.5 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2019-01-01 → 2021-12-31 | 1.2 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2016-01-01 → 2018-12-31 | 0 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2013-01-01 → 2015-12-31 | 5 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2010-01-01 → 2012-12-31 | 5 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2007-01-01 → 2009-12-31 | 5 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2004-01-01 → 2006-12-31 | 5 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2003-07-01 → 2003-12-31 | 5 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2001-01-01 → 2003-12-31 | 5 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2000-07-01 → 2000-12-31 | 5 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2000-01-01 → 2000-12-31 | 5 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 1997-01-01 → 1999-12-31 | 6.67 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
Source: ECHO SDWA bulk download (SDWA_LCR_SAMPLES.csv, SDWIS 2026Q2, file dated 2026-07-09, fetched 2026-09-06)
EPA UCMR5 monitoring, 2023-07-12 to 2024-04-02 · 116 PFAS results at entry points to the distribution system
PFOA and PFOS measured at or above EPA's legal limit in at least one sample. Utilities have until 2029 (2031 under EPA's proposed extension) to comply with the 2024 PFAS rule, so a result above the MCL today is not yet a violation — but it is the number that matters for your health.
| Compound | Detects / samples | Max (ppt) | Reporting limit | EPA MCL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOA | 4 / 4 | 32 | 4 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFOS | 4 / 4 | 32.4 | 4 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFHxS | 1 / 4 | 4.2 | 3 ppt | 10 ppt |
| PFNA | 0 / 4 | < 4 | 4 ppt | 10 ppt |
| HFPO-DA | 0 / 4 | < 5 | 5 ppt | 10 ppt |
| PFBS | 4 / 4 | 155.4 | 3 ppt | hazard index only |
| PFBA | 4 / 4 | 19.1 | 5 ppt | hazard index only |
| PFHpA | 4 / 4 | 11.7 | 3 ppt | hazard index only |
| PFHxA | 4 / 4 | 34.9 | 3 ppt | hazard index only |
| PFPeA | 4 / 4 | 56.5 | 3 ppt | hazard index only |
“< 4 ppt” means below the laboratory reporting limit, not zero. ppt = parts per trillion (ng/L). Results are for finished water leaving the treatment plant.
What PFAS are and how to remove them → · Best filters for PFAS →
Source: UCMR5 occurrence data, EPA Data Summary July 2026 (UCMR5_All.txt)
EPA Six-Year Review 4 compliance samples for GADSDEN, THE WWSB OF THE CITY OF · finished water only · dated data, released 2024
These are the regulated-contaminant samples GADSDEN, THE WWSB OF THE CITY OF reported to its state between 2012 and 2019 — the most recent nationwide sample-level dataset EPA has published. Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) is flagged below; the status column explains why. Treat this as history, not today's tap water.
| Contaminant | Samples | Average | Max | EPA limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 80 detects | 0 µg/L | ND | 10 µg/LMCL | Not detected |
| Nitrate (as N) | 8 | 0.249 mg/L | 0.34 mg/L | 10 mg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Fluoride | 87 detects | 0.528 mg/L | 1.13 mg/L | 4 mg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Chromium (total) | 80 detects | 0 µg/L | ND | 100 µg/LMCL | Not detected |
| Gross alpha | 1 | 1 pCi/L | 1 pCi/L | 15 pCi/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) | 433 | 26.464 µg/L | 107 µg/L | 80 µg/LMCL (LRAA) | 1 single sample over MCL; average within limit |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | 433 | 11.249 µg/L | 42.2 µg/L | 60 µg/LMCL (LRAA) | Within MCL |
| Lead (tap samples) | 380 detects | 0 µg/L | ND | 15 µg/Laction level (90th percentile) | Reported, not scored (compliance is on the 90th percentile) |
| Copper (tap samples) | 389 detects | 6.921 µg/L | 60 µg/L | 1300 µg/Laction level (90th percentile) | Reported, not scored (compliance is on the 90th percentile) |
Averages count non-detects as zero. TTHM and HAA5 limits are locational running annual averages, so a single high sample is not a violation — we grade those on the average only. Lead and copper rows are individual tap samples and are shown for context; compliance (and our score) uses the 90th-percentile result above. LRAA = locational running annual average; ND = not detected.
Source: SYR4 Six-Year Review compliance monitoring data 2012–2019 (released 2024-03)
GADSDEN, THE WWSB OF THE CITY OF · 15,561 service lines inventoried · Q2 2026 snapshot
GADSDEN, THE WWSB OF THE CITY OF reports 12,504 service lines that are lead or galvanized-requiring-replacement (80% of the lines it has inventoried). A lead service line is the pipe between the water main and a building, so treated water can pick up lead after it leaves the plant — which city-level testing does not capture. Under EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, utilities must replace lead lines within 10 years starting in 2027.
Source: EPA SDWIS Service Line Inventory (Q2 2026) · PWS ID AL0000577 · See all Alabama lead service lines. We may earn a commission from filters and test kits, at no extra cost to you.
Surface-water systems draw from rivers, lakes or reservoirs and must filter and disinfect, which is why disinfection byproducts (TTHM, HAA5) are the readings to watch.
How to test your tap water and the treatment options that actually fit Gadsden homes
The most reliable way to know what is actually coming out of your tap is a certified mail-in lab test. City-wide EPA data (like the report above) reflects the water leaving the treatment plant, but contaminants such as lead and copper can be picked up from your own service line and household plumbing — so the water at your Gadsden faucet can differ from the system average. A state-certified lab measures dozens of contaminants at once with results you can trust; you can also find one near you through the EPA's certified-lab list at epa.gov/dwlabcert. Hardware-store test strips are cheaper and instant, but they only screen for a few basics (chlorine, hardness, pH, and a rough lead pass/fail) and are far less accurate — treat them as a first look, not a diagnosis.
Match the treatment to what your test finds. Reverse osmosis (RO) removes the widest range of contaminants — lead, arsenic, nitrate, PFAS, and dissolved solids — which makes an under-sink reverse osmosis system the most thorough choice for Gadsden households with heavy-metal or PFAS concerns. If your main issue is taste, odor, or chlorine, an activated carbon filter (pitcher, faucet, or under-sink) is simpler and cheaper and handles chlorine and many organic compounds well, though carbon alone does not remove arsenic, nitrate, or most PFAS. NSF-certified pitchers rated for lead reduction are the easiest way to start today while you decide on a permanent setup.
We may earn a commission from testing kits and filters purchased through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Gadsden ranks #19 of 22 graded Alabama cities.
Gadsden grades D. PFOA or PFOS was measured at or above the 4 ppt federal limit. The water is legal to drink, but a certified filter matched to these findings is a reasonable precaution.
GADSDEN, THE WWSB OF THE CITY OF's most recent Lead and Copper Rule result (2022-01-01 to 2024-12-31) was 2.5 ppb at the 90th percentile, below EPA's 15 ppb action level. Because lead usually comes from service lines and household plumbing, homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
Yes. EPA's UCMR5 sampling (2023-07-12 to 2024-04-02) detected PFBA, PFBS, PFHpA, PFHxA, PFHxS, PFOA, PFOS, PFPeA, with PFOA or PFOS at or above the 4 ppt federal MCL. Reverse osmosis and certified activated-carbon filters reduce PFAS.
GADSDEN, THE WWSB OF THE CITY OF has 23 violations on file since 2016: 0 health-based in the last five years and 23 monitoring or reporting violations in that window. Monitoring violations are paperwork lapses, not measured contamination.
GADSDEN, THE WWSB OF THE CITY OF reports surface water as its primary source and serves about 44,637 people (EPA PWSID AL0000577).
We recommend one. Reverse osmosis or a PFAS-certified carbon filter addresses the PFAS result.
PFOA or PFOS was measured at or above EPA's 4 ppt limit in Gadsden's UCMR5 sampling.
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