Jefferson County tap water: hardness, PFAS and lead
Jefferson County, Alabama has about 664,744 residents (Census 2024 estimate) and 12 community water systems in EPA records. The largest local system is Central Alabama Water, serving about 653,322 people from surface water.
! 1 of 6 largest systems with health-based violationsPFAS detected at 4 of 6 sampled systemsHardness 40–156 mg/L, varies by area
Public-record figures, not a test of your tap. Not 100% accurate or guaranteed. Confirm with a water test, your utility or a qualified pro before you buy or act.
How hard is Jefferson County water?
Central Alabama WaterMeasured (utility report, 2025) · High confidence
40–156 mg/L(varies by area; no single average published)
Public-record figures, not a test of your tap. Not 100% accurate or guaranteed. Confirm with a water test, your utility or a qualified pro before you buy or act.
At this hardness most homes don't need a softener. Confirm with a test strip if you see scale.
Largest water systems in Jefferson County
The 6 biggest of 12 community water systems on EPA records for this county. Service areas don't follow county lines; your water bill names your provider.
Central Alabama Water
AL0000738 · serves about 653,322 people · Surface water
✓ No health-based violations✓ Lead below action levelPFAS detected (5 types)
Lead 90th percentile: 1.2 ppb (period starting 2024-01-01). Action level: 15 ppb (drops to 10 ppb on Nov 1, 2027).
PFPeA: highest sample 11.3 ppt (3 of 16 samples); no federal limit
PFHxA: highest sample 8.5 ppt (2 of 16 samples); no federal limit
PFBS: highest sample 7.9 ppt (4 of 16 samples); no individual limit; counted in EPA's PFAS mixture (hazard index) limit
PFBA: highest sample 6.1 ppt (1 of 16 samples); no federal limit
6:2 FTS: highest sample 5.8 ppt (1 of 16 samples); no federal limit
AL0000763 · serves about 38,700 people · Surface water
! 1 health-based violation✓ Lead below detectionPFAS detected (5 types)
Lead 90th percentile: <DL (below the lab detection/reporting limit; reported as 0) (period starting 2024-01-01). Action level: 15 ppb (drops to 10 ppb on Nov 1, 2027).
PFPeA: highest sample 6 ppt (2 of 8 samples); no federal limit
PFOS: highest sample 5.7 ppt (1 of 8 samples); federal limit 4.0 ppt as a running annual average
PFHxA: highest sample 4.7 ppt (1 of 8 samples); no federal limit
PFOA: highest sample 4.2 ppt (1 of 8 samples); federal limit 4.0 ppt as a running annual average
PFBS: highest sample 3 ppt (1 of 8 samples); no individual limit; counted in EPA's PFAS mixture (hazard index) limit
AL0000761 · serves about 36,300 people · Groundwater
✓ No health-based violations✓ Lead below detection✓ No PFAS detected
Lead 90th percentile: <DL (below the lab detection/reporting limit; reported as 0) (period starting 2024-01-01). Action level: 15 ppb (drops to 10 ppb on Nov 1, 2027).
AL0000753 · serves about 21,300 people · Groundwater
✓ No health-based violations✓ Lead below detection✓ No PFAS detected
Lead 90th percentile: <DL (below the lab detection/reporting limit; reported as 0) (period starting 2023-01-01) Older result. Action level: 15 ppb (drops to 10 ppb on Nov 1, 2027).
AL0000751 · serves about 10,098 people · Groundwater
✓ No health-based violations✓ Lead below action levelPFAS detected (6 types)
Lead 90th percentile: 1 ppb (period starting 2023-01-01) Older result. Action level: 15 ppb (drops to 10 ppb on Nov 1, 2027).
PFOS: highest sample 59.4 ppt (3 of 4 samples); federal limit 4.0 ppt as a running annual average
PFPeA: highest sample 8.1 ppt (3 of 4 samples); no federal limit
PFHxS: highest sample 7.9 ppt (1 of 4 samples); federal limit 10.0 ppt as a running annual average, also counted in EPA's PFAS mixture (hazard index) limit (currently in effect; EPA has proposed removing it)
PFOA: highest sample 5.1 ppt (2 of 4 samples); federal limit 4.0 ppt as a running annual average
PFHxA: highest sample 5.1 ppt (1 of 4 samples); no federal limit
PFBS: highest sample 3.5 ppt (1 of 4 samples); no individual limit; counted in EPA's PFAS mixture (hazard index) limit
Public-record figures, not a test of your tap. Not 100% accurate or guaranteed. Confirm with a water test, your utility or a qualified pro before you buy or act.
A PFAS detection is not a violation. Federal limits (4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS) apply to running annual averages, with compliance required by 2029. In May 2026 EPA proposed extending the PFOA/PFOS deadline to 2031 and removing other PFAS limits; not final as of 2026-10-21.
Test your own tap
These are public records for whole systems. Your home's pipes, fixtures and any private well can change what you drink. A certified lab test or a hardness test strip gives you your own numbers. Then use our PFAS and lead filter selector to see which certifications to look for.
Common questions about Jefferson County water
Is tap water in Jefferson County safe to drink?
1 of the 6 largest systems here have at least one health-based violation in EPA records since October 2021 (see each system below for status). Central Alabama Water's most recent lead 90th percentile was 1.2 ppb (2024), below the 15 ppb action level. Public records can't guarantee what comes out of your tap, especially with older plumbing, so a home test is the surest check.
How hard is the water in Jefferson County?
Central Alabama Water reports hardness from 40 to 156 mg/L depending on where you live, with no single system-wide average, so check your area in its report or test your water.
Is there PFAS in Jefferson County water?
4 of the 6 sampled systems listed here detected at least one PFAS in EPA's UCMR 5 testing, and 5 results were above the level of a federal limit in at least one sample. A detection isn't a violation: federal PFAS limits apply to running annual averages starting in 2029.
Which water system serves my address in Jefferson County?
Most homes are served by Central Alabama Water or one of the other systems listed on this page, but service areas don't follow county lines. Your water bill names your provider, and its annual Consumer Confidence Report has the full test results.
Data as of October 21, 2026. Figures are copied from public records and combined with our own calculations; they can be out of date or wrong. Tapped Out isn't affiliated with any utility or the EPA. Written and reviewed by the Tapped Out team. How we calculate · All sources.