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

ZIP Code 36851 Water Quality & Testing Report

Cottonton, AL · Russell 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 36851 (Cottonton, AL)?

Caution / Filtration Recommended: Tap water in ZIP code 36851 (Cottonton, AL) has compliance concerns, earning an EPA Safety Grade of D (53/100) due to 0 health violation(s) and 0 ppb lead. While treated by EUFAULA WATER WORKS, residents are advised to use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified water filter for drinking and cooking.

Safety Score
D

Water Safety Grade

Poor — Multiple violations recorded

Health Violations

0

Total Violations

0

Lead Risk

N/A

Contaminants

0

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 36851

Tap water in ZIP code 36851 (Cottonton, AL) is distributed by EUFAULA WATER WORKS (EPA ID: AL0000085), serving approximately 17,970 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of D with a composite quality score of 53/100.

Water System

EUFAULA WATER WORKS

EPA ID: AL0000085

Water Source

Ground Water

Population Served

17,970 residents

County

Russell County County, Alabama

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Lead Levels in ZIP 36851

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 36851. Contact EUFAULA WATER WORKS to request lead testing results.
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
Unknown
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 Hard5.2 GPG · 89 mg/L

Water in ZIP 36851 is Moderately Hard (89 mg/L / 5.2 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

5.2 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

89 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
Low / Moderate

Interactive Water Safety & Filter Matcher

Personalized for ZIP 36851 (Cottonton, AL)

Free Tool

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: EUFAULA WATER WORKS · PWSID: AL0000085

Verify on EPA.gov
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

EUFAULA WATER WORKS 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
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Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

No health-based contaminant violations are on record for ZIP code 36851 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

Moderate potential

Zone 2

EPA Radon Zone 2 — moderate radon potential. The EPA recommends testing your home regardless of zone designation.

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 36851

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 36851 served by EUFAULA WATER WORKS 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 36851 Recommendations

  • 🚨 Install a certified NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 (reverse osmosis) filter immediately for drinking and cooking
  • 🚨 Do not give unfiltered water to children, pregnant women, or immunocompromised individuals
  • 🚨 Contact EUFAULA WATER WORKS to request the current violation status and corrective action plan
  • 🚨 Report concerns to your state environmental agency or call the EPA hotline: 1-800-426-4791
  • 🚨 Consider having your home's tap water independently tested by a certified lab

Recommended Water Treatment Systems:

REQUIRED FOR SAFETY
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NSF 53 Lead Pitcher Filter

Certified to remove lead. Recommended for immediate protection.

Lead Filter Guide →
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED
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NSF 58 Under-Sink RO System

Reverse Osmosis system certified to remove PFAS, heavy metals, and viruses.

RO System Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 36851 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 36851?+
Tap water in 36851 has a below-average safety grade of D due to compliance issues. We recommend using a certified water filter for drinking and cooking.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 36851 (Cottonton, AL)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 36851, 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 36851?+
Tap water in 36851 is classified as Moderately Hard with an estimated mineral hardness of 89 mg/L (5.2 GPG). A water softener is optional. Regular maintenance of hot water appliances is recommended.
Should I test private well water in 36851?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 36851 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 36851 tap water?+
Lead level data is not available in EPA records for 36851. Contact your utility for details.
Is there an active boil water notice in 36851?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 36851. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 36851?+
Tap water in ZIP code 36851 is provided by EUFAULA WATER WORKS (EPA ID: AL0000085), serving approximately 17,970 residents.
What water filter should I use in 36851?+
Based on water metrics for 36851, 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 36851 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 EUFAULA WATER WORKS. 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 →