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WaterSafeCheck
Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideStatus: Normal Operations

ZIP Code 35661 Water Quality & Testing Report

Muscle Shoals, AL · Colbert County County · Updated for 2026

Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 35661 (Muscle Shoals, AL)?

Caution / Filtration Recommended: Tap water in ZIP code 35661 (Muscle Shoals, AL) has compliance concerns, earning an EPA Safety Grade of C (64/100) due to 0 health violation(s) and 0.6 ppb lead. While treated by Muscle Shoals Utility Board, residents are advised to use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified water filter for drinking and cooking.

Safety Score
C

Water Safety Grade

Fair — Some compliance concerns

Health Violations

0

Total Violations

2

Lead Risk

Moderate

Contaminants

0

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 35661

Tap water in ZIP code 35661 (Muscle Shoals, AL) is distributed by Muscle Shoals Utility Board (EPA ID: AL0000321), serving approximately 22,467 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of C with a composite quality score of 64/100.

Water System

Muscle Shoals Utility Board

EPA ID: AL0000321

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

22,467 residents

County

Colbert County County, Alabama

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Lead Levels in ZIP 35661

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Level: 0.6 ppb — Very Low

The 90th percentile lead level in 35661 is 0.6 ppb. This meets the EPA action level of 15 ppb. Health experts recommend a target of 0 ppb for optimal safety.

Lead exposure risk in 35661 is rated Moderate. EPA models estimate a 28% exposure probability based on housing and infrastructure age.

Lead Level (90th percentile)
0.60 ppb (0.0006 mg/L)
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
Moderate
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

28%
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring — meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
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Water Hardness & Mineral Content

Grains per gallon (GPG) & Parts per million (PPM / mg/L)

Classification: Soft3.2 GPG · 54 mg/L

Water in ZIP 35661 is classified as Soft (54 mg/L / 3.2 GPG). Soft water produces abundant soap lather, prevents scale buildup in water heaters, and does not leave spots on dishes.

Recommendation: No water softener is needed. Standard carbon filtration is sufficient for taste and chlorine reduction.
Hardness (GPG)

Grains per gallon

3.2 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

54 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
Very Low

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: Muscle Shoals Utility Board · PWSID: AL0000321

Verify on EPA.gov
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

Muscle Shoals Utility Board has recorded 2 violations, but none are health-based (e.g., administrative or monitoring infractions).

Total Violations (5 yr)
2
Health-Based Violations
0
Unresolved Violations
0
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
Low

Regulatory compliance risk for this utility is rated Low based on past reporting and enforcement records.

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Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

No health-based contaminant violations are on record for ZIP code 35661 under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

⚖ Enforcement Actions

EPA or state regulators have issued 2 enforcement actions to address compliance lapses.
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Water Source & Environmental Factors

Surface Water

This system draws water from lakes, rivers, or reservoirs. Surface water is treated to remove sediment, microorganisms, and chemical contaminants before reaching taps.

Water Source Type
Surface Water
EPA Radon Zone

Highest potential

Zone 1
Annual Flood Risk Cost

Estimated annual flood-related costs per property

$1
Energy Burden

% of household income spent on energy — indicator of older infrastructure

2.36%

EPA Radon Zone 1 — highest potential for radon in indoor air. Homeowners should test their home for radon and consider mitigation if levels exceed 4 pCi/L.

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 35661

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 35661 served by Muscle Shoals Utility Board can test tap water or private well systems to verify water purity. Testing detects hidden contaminants before they impact family health.

Tap Water Testing Steps

  • 1.Conduct a certified lead check if your home was constructed before 1986.
  • 2.Use certified lab testing kits rather than uncalibrated test strips for regulated compliance.
  • 3.Sample water from both your kitchen faucet and water heater to compare line purity.

Private Well Testing Steps

  • •Test for Coliform bacteria and Nitrates annually.
  • •Test for heavy metals, radon, and PFAS every 3 years.
  • •Send samples to a state-certified drinking water laboratory recognized by Alabama Department of Environmental Management.
Certified Lab Testing: Always use an EPA-certified drinking water laboratory in AL for formal legal or real estate compliance testing.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 35661 Recommendations

  • ⚠ Use a certified NSF/ANSI 53 filter for drinking and cooking water if you have young children
  • ⚠ Never give unfiltered tap water to infants in formula — use certified bottled or filtered water
  • ⚠ Request a copy of the Consumer Confidence Report to see what was detected and when
  • ⚠ Call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 1-800-426-4791

Recommended Water Treatment Systems:

🏺

NSF 53 Lead Pitcher Filter

Specifically certified to reduce lead and copper at the tap.

Lead Filter Guide →
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NSF 58 Under-Sink RO System

Advanced filtration for PFAS, fluoride, nitrates, and organic chemicals.

RO System Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 35661 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 35661?+
Tap water in 35661 (Muscle Shoals, AL) meets major standards but has a grade of C due to minor past violations. Vulnerable populations may want to use a certified filter as a precaution.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 35661 (Muscle Shoals, AL)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 35661, you can order a certified drinking water test kit or send water samples to an EPA/NELAP certified laboratory in AL. Certified testing checks for lead, coliform bacteria, nitrates, hardness, and PFAS that standard test strips miss. Contact Alabama Department of Environmental Management for a list of certified regional labs.
How hard is the tap water in 35661?+
Tap water in 35661 is classified as Soft with an estimated mineral hardness of 54 mg/L (3.2 GPG). No water softener is needed. Standard carbon filtration is sufficient for taste and chlorine reduction.
Should I test private well water in 35661?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 35661 are not regulated by the EPA or local utilities. Private well owners should test their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and volatile organic compounds.
What is the lead level in 35661 tap water?+
The 90th percentile lead level in 35661 is 0.6 ppb. The EPA action level is 15 ppb. This is below the EPA action level.
Is there an active boil water notice in 35661?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 35661. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 35661?+
Tap water in ZIP code 35661 is provided by Muscle Shoals Utility Board (EPA ID: AL0000321), serving approximately 22,467 residents.
What water filter should I use in 35661?+
Based on water metrics for 35661, we recommend None / Standard Pitcher. Look for certifications such as NSF/ANSI 42 (Chlorine, Taste & Odor).

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 35661 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by Muscle Shoals Utility Board. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data →