Tap Water Results

Is Decatur, AL tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

Summary

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for Decatur Municipal Utilities Board. 2 PFAS were detected below the limits.

2 public water systems serve parts of Decatur. The largest, Decatur Municipal Utilities Board, serves 77,103 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Decatur Municipal Utilities Board

77,103 people · Surface water · EPA ID AL0001084

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFOS
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFHxS
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
PFNA
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
HFPO-DA (GenX)
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected

ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.

Lead: 0 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2024, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

Full Decatur Municipal Utilities Board results

Across Alabama, 56 of 307 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 0 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. Alabama results.

Decatur homes and lead pipes

56%
of homes built before 1980 (Alabama 42%, US 50%)
8%
built before 1950 (Alabama 8%)
37%
of households rent (Alabama 30%)

Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.

Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Decatur city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Decatur

  • West Morgan-East Lawrence Water & Sewer Authority
    30,000 people · Surface water · Alabama · lists this city
    No PFAS above limits

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Athens 14 mi
Limestone County Water & Sewer Authority
Limestone County Water & Sewer AuthorityNone above limits0.92 ppb
Madison 16 mi
Madison W & Water Works Board
Madison W & Water Works BoardNone above limits0.55 ppb
Huntsville 30 mi
Huntsville Utilities Water Dept.
Huntsville Utilities Water Dept.Above limit0 ppb
Florence 42 mi
City of Florence Water Department
City of Florence Water DepartmentAbove limit3.4 ppb
Gadsden 68 mi
Gadsden Water Works & Sewer Board
Gadsden Water Works & Sewer BoardAbove limit2.5 ppb
Trussville 68 mi
Trussville Utilities Board
Trussville Utilities BoardNone above limits0 ppb
Decatur ZIP codes (2)
  • 35601
  • 35603

Questions

Is Decatur tap water safe to drink?

Decatur Municipal Utilities Board has had no health-based violations since 2016. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.

Who supplies water in Decatur, AL?

2 public water systems serve parts of Decatur. The largest is Decatur Municipal Utilities Board (77,103 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Decatur tap water have PFAS?

Decatur Municipal Utilities Board had 2 PFAS detected at least once in EPA's 2023–2025 testing, all with averages below the federal limits.

Do Decatur homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 56% of Decatur homes as built before 1980 (Alabama: 42%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. Decatur Municipal Utilities Board's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.

Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.