State distribution
Hardness across indexed ZIPs
Counts describe published ZIP profiles, not a population-weighted statewide sample.
Soft · 0–60 PPM44
Moderately hard · 61–120 PPM34
Hard · 121–180 PPM21
Very hard · 181+ PPM5
State water index
Alabama water hardness
Search 281 indexed communities and 406 ZIP profiles, then compare the underlying utility, source, distance, and reporting context.
Median regional evidence
83PPM
Moderately Hard
Indexed range 3–2720 PPM
- ZIP profiles
- 406
- Cities
- 281
- Matched utilities
- 395
- Counties
- 67
Understanding Alabama
Why local comparisons matter here
Alabama spans the Appalachian ridges and Tennessee Valley in the north, the Piedmont, and the broad Gulf Coastal Plain to the south. Water sources and surrounding rock therefore change substantially across the state.
In this index, soft is the largest category, covering 44 of 104 profiles with hardness data. The state median is 83 PPM, but the full indexed range is 3–2720 PPM.
Evidence coverage
What the current records support
- Hardness estimate
- 26%
- Lead 90th percentile
- 100%
- Copper 90th percentile
- 9%
52
Low-confidence hardness profiles
17
Research-comparison eligible profiles
Reported source water
Utility source mix
- Groundwater
- 214
- Surface water
- 176
- Groundwater influenced by surface water
- 5
Highest medians
Highest eligible city medians
Lowest medians
Lowest eligible city medians
City directory
Explore Alabama by city
Search by city or county, then sort by name, hardness, or ZIP coverage.
281 cities · 406 ZIP profiles
281 cities found
Page 1 of 12
Abbeville
Henry County · 1 ZIP
217PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Addison
Winston County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Akron
Hale County · 1 ZIP
17PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Alabaster
Shelby County · 2 ZIPs
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Albertville
Marshall County · 2 ZIPs
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Alexandria
Calhoun County · 2 ZIPs
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Aliceville
Pickens County · 1 ZIP
23PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Allgood
Blount County · 1 ZIP
126PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Andalusia
Covington County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Anniston
Calhoun County · 2 ZIPs
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Arab
Marshall County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Ardmore
Limestone County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Ariton
Dale County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Arley
Winston County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Ashford
Houston County · 1 ZIP
103PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Ashland
Clay County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Ashville
St. Clair County · 1 ZIP
149PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Athens
Limestone County · 3 ZIPs
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Atmore
Escambia County · 2 ZIPs
42PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Attalla
Etowah County · 1 ZIP
138PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Auburn
Lee County · 4 ZIPs
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Autaugaville
Autauga County · 1 ZIP
6PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Axis
Mobile County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Banks
Pike County · 1 ZIP
91PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
County comparison
Highest regional-evidence county medians
| County | Median | Range | ZIP profiles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile County | 2720 PPM | 2720–2720 | 29 |
| Colbert County | 218 PPM | 217.5–217.5 | 5 |
| Lauderdale County | 215 PPM | 215–215 | 4 |
| Calhoun County | 149 PPM | 149–149 | 8 |
| Etowah County | 138 PPM | 138–149 | 6 |
| Talladega County | 129 PPM | 120–138 | 9 |
| St. Clair County | 129 PPM | 129–149 | 7 |
| Geneva County | 127 PPM | 119–148.5 | 5 |
| Blount County | 126 PPM | 126–126 | 7 |
| Shelby County | 120 PPM | 117–120 | 10 |
| Jackson County | 118 PPM | 112–124 | 6 |
| Jefferson County | 117 PPM | 117–117 | 28 |