Is Gadsden, AL tap water safe?

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

Gadsden Water Works & Sewer Board, the largest system here, had PFAS above the 2024 federal limits (PFOA, PFOS) in EPA's 2023–2025 testing.

Is it an emergency? No: PFAS limits are about years of exposure, not a glass of water, and nothing in EPA's data calls for you to stop drinking the water today. If your utility issues a boil-water or do-not-drink notice, follow it.

5 public water systems serve parts of Gadsden. The largest, Gadsden Water Works & Sewer Board, serves 44,637 people, and 3 systems here had PFAS above a federal limit. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Gadsden Water Works & Sewer Board

44,637 people · Surface water · EPA ID AL0000577

PFAS	Highest average	Limit	Status
PFOA Above limit	23.4 ppt	4 ppt	Above limit
PFOS Above limit	22.7 ppt	4 ppt	Above limit
PFHxS Detected, below limit	1.05 ppt	10 ppt	Detected, below limit
PFNA Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected
HFPO-DA (GenX) Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not 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.

For context: the PFOA average is higher than at 99% of the Alabama systems EPA tested and the PFOS average is higher than at 99% of the Alabama systems EPA tested.

Lead: 2.5 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 Gadsden Water Works & Sewer 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.

Gadsden homes and lead pipes

81%

of homes built before 1980 (Alabama 42%, US 50%)

28%

built before 1950 (Alabama 8%)

44%

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 Gadsden city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Gadsden

Northeast Etowah County Water Company – Op
4,380 people · Purchased surface water · Alabama · lists this city
PFOA above limitAlso: PFOS above limit · PFHxS detected
Highland Water Authority
4,014 people · Purchased surface water · Alabama · lists this city
PFOA above limitAlso: PFOS above limit · PFHxS detected
Whorton Bend Water Authority
2,715 people · Purchased surface water · Alabama · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Tillison Bend Water Authority
1,083 people · Purchased groundwater · Alabama · lists this city
No PFAS above limits

How nearby cities compare

City	Main water system	PFAS	Lead (90th pct.)
Trussville 40 mi Trussville Utilities Board	Trussville Utilities Board	None above limits	0 ppb
Birmingham 56 mi Central Alabama Water	Central Alabama Water	None above limits	1.2 ppb
Huntsville 61 mi Huntsville Utilities Water Dept.	Huntsville Utilities Water Dept.	Above limit	0 ppb
Pelham 63 mi City of Pelham	City of Pelham	Above limit	0 ppb
Madison 65 mi Madison W & Water Works Board	Madison W & Water Works Board	None above limits	0.55 ppb
Decatur 68 mi Decatur Municipal Utilities Board	Decatur Municipal Utilities Board	None above limits	0 ppb

Gadsden ZIP codes (1)

35904

Questions

Is Gadsden tap water safe to drink?

Gadsden Water Works & Sewer Board has had no health-based violations since 2016, and EPA testing found PFAS above the 2024 federal limits, which it must meet by 2029. 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 Gadsden, AL?

5 public water systems serve parts of Gadsden. The largest is Gadsden Water Works & Sewer Board (44,637 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Gadsden tap water have PFAS?

Yes. EPA's 2023–2025 testing found entry-point averages above the 2024 federal limits for PFOA and PFOS at Gadsden Water Works & Sewer Board. Systems have until 2029 to meet them.

Do Gadsden homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 81% of Gadsden 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. Gadsden Water Works & Sewer 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.