Tap Water Results

Is Opelika, AL tap water safe?

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

Summary

Opelika Water Works 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.

4 public water systems serve parts of Opelika. The largest, Opelika Water Works Board, serves 56,520 people, and 3 systems here had PFAS above a federal limit. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Opelika Water Works Board

56,520 people · Surface water · EPA ID AL0000816

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
Above limit
7.68 ppt4 pptAbove limit
PFOS
Above limit
5.68 ppt4 pptAbove limit
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.

For context: the PFOA average is higher than at 91% of the Alabama systems EPA tested and the PFOS average is higher than at 86% of the Alabama systems EPA tested.

Lead: 0.52 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2025, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 1

Full Opelika Water Works 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.

Opelika homes and lead pipes

36%
of homes built before 1980 (Alabama 42%, US 50%)
8%
built before 1950 (Alabama 8%)
31%
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 Opelika city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Opelika

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Auburn 8 mi
Auburn Water Works Board
Auburn Water Works BoardAbove limit0.47 ppb
Phenix City 25 mi
Phenix City Utilities
Phenix City UtilitiesNone above limits0 ppb
Montgomery 56 mi
Montgomery Water Works & Sanitary Sewer Board
Montgomery Water Works & Sanitary Sewer BoardNone above limits0 ppb
Prattville 64 mi
Prattville Water Works Board
Prattville Water Works BoardAbove limit3.52 ppb
Pelham 91 mi
City of Pelham
City of PelhamAbove limit0 ppb
Alabaster 94 mi
City of Alabaster Water Department
City of Alabaster Water DepartmentAbove limit1.1 ppb
Opelika ZIP codes (1)
  • 36801

Questions

Is Opelika tap water safe to drink?

Opelika Water Works Board had 1 health-based violation 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 Opelika, AL?

4 public water systems serve parts of Opelika. The largest is Opelika Water Works Board (56,520 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Opelika tap water have PFAS?

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

Do Opelika homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 36% of Opelika 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. Opelika Water Works 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.