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Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideHistorical Record: No Recorded SDWIS Violations

ZIP Code 36560 Water Quality & Testing Report

Mount Vernon, AL · Mobile County County · Updated for 2026

Sahajul HaqueCompiled & verified by Sahajul Haque from official EPA SDWIS records
Public Health & Medical Notice: Drinking water quality data on this page reflects historical compliance records submitted under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This information does not constitute medical advice or a real-time safety guarantee. If you are pregnant, nursing, preparing infant formula, or immunocompromised, consult a healthcare provider. Boiling water kills biological pathogens, but does NOT remove chemical contaminants like lead, arsenic, or PFAS.
Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 36560 (Mount Vernon, AL)?

Yes, tap water in ZIP code 36560 (Mount Vernon, AL) is safe to drink under EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards. Supplied by South Alabama Utilities Water System, the area earns an EPA Safety Grade of B (73/100) with 0 health violations, 0 ppb lead, and moderately hard (83 mg/L / 4.9 GPG) water.

Safety Score
B

Water Safety Grade

Good — Minor issues on record

Health Violations

0

Total Violations

0

Lead Risk

High

Contaminants

0

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 36560

Tap water in ZIP code 36560 (Mount Vernon, AL) is distributed by South Alabama Utilities Water System (EPA ID: AL0000967), serving approximately 39,249 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of B with a composite quality score of 73/100.

Water System

South Alabama Utilities Water System

EPA ID: AL0000967

Water Source

Ground Water

Population Served

39,249 residents

County

Mobile County County, Alabama

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Lead Levels in ZIP 36560

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

Lead Data Not Available

Lead testing data was not found in EPA records for ZIP code 36560. Contact South Alabama Utilities Water System to request lead testing results.

Lead exposure risk in 36560 is rated High. EPA models estimate a 46% exposure probability based on housing and infrastructure age.

Lead Exposure Risk Rating
High
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

46%
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: Moderately Hard4.9 GPG · 83 mg/L

Water in ZIP 36560 is Moderately Hard (83 mg/L / 4.9 GPG). It contains beneficial natural minerals like calcium and magnesium without causing heavy scale accumulation.

Recommendation: A water softener is optional. Regular maintenance of hot water appliances is recommended.
Hardness (GPG)

Grains per gallon

4.9 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

83 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
Low / Moderate

Interactive Water Safety & Filter Matcher

Personalized for ZIP 36560 (Mount Vernon, AL)

Free Tool

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: South Alabama Utilities Water System · PWSID: AL0000967

Verify on EPA.gov
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

South Alabama Utilities Water System has recorded zero violations in the EPA compliance database over the past 5 years.

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

Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

No health-based contaminant violations are on record for ZIP code 36560 under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

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Water Source & Environmental Factors

Ground Water

This system draws water from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through soil and rock, but can still contain naturally occurring minerals like arsenic, radium, or nitrates.

Water Source Type
Ground Water
EPA Radon Zone

Lower potential

Zone 3
Annual Flood Risk Cost

Estimated annual flood-related costs per property

$0
Energy Burden

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

3.66%

EPA Radon Zone 3 — lower radon potential, though the EPA still recommends testing all homes.

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 36560

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 36560 served by South Alabama Utilities Water System 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 36560 Recommendations

  • ✓ Run cold water for 30 seconds each morning before use — especially if pipes are old
  • ✓ Request your annual Consumer Confidence Report from South Alabama Utilities Water System
  • ✓ If your home was built before 1986, consider testing your own tap for lead
  • ✓ Use a pitcher filter (NSF/ANSI 42 certified) for improved taste

Recommended Taste & Safety Filter:

🚰

NSF/ANSI 53 Certified Pitcher Filter

Best for removing aesthetic chlorine, odors, and low-level heavy metals.

Filter Selection Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 36560 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 36560?+
Yes — tap water in 36560 (Mount Vernon, AL) meets EPA standards with a water safety grade of B. No health-based violations are on record in the past 5 years.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 36560 (Mount Vernon, AL)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 36560, 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 36560?+
Tap water in 36560 is classified as Moderately Hard with an estimated mineral hardness of 83 mg/L (4.9 GPG). A water softener is optional. Regular maintenance of hot water appliances is recommended.
Should I test private well water in 36560?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 36560 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 36560 tap water?+
Lead level data is not available in EPA records for 36560. Contact your utility for details.
Is there an active boil water notice in 36560?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 36560. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 36560?+
Tap water in ZIP code 36560 is provided by South Alabama Utilities Water System (EPA ID: AL0000967), serving approximately 39,249 residents.
What water filter should I use in 36560?+
Based on water metrics for 36560, we recommend Lead & Microplastic Filter. Look for certifications such as NSF/ANSI 53 (Lead Reduction), NSF/ANSI 42 (Particulate/Taste).

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 36560 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 South Alabama Utilities Water System. 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 →