PlainWater
States → Alabama

PICKENS COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY

PWS ID: AL0001106 · CARROLLTON, Alabama 35447

PICKENS COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY serves 14,364 people in CARROLLTON, Alabama using Groundwater water sources. It has 133 recorded EPA violations, including 12 health-based violations. PFAS "forever chemicals" were detected in UCMR5 testing (1 compound found).

Water Quality Snapshot: PICKENS COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY

PICKENS COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY is a local-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 14,364 residents in CARROLLTON, Alabama (Pickens County) through 4,788 service connections. Its water is drawn from groundwater sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 133 total violations for this system , of which 12 (9%) are health-based — meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 117 monitoring and reporting violations are on file. The most recent violation on record dates to 2023.

The most frequently cited contaminant at this system is Coliform (TCR), recorded in 12 violations (MCL, health-based). Under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program, 1 PFAS compound was detected in samples collected from this system, with a maximum reported concentration of 9.7 ppt. PFAS are persistent synthetic chemicals linked to health effects at very low exposure levels.

Across Alabama, EPA tracks 562 public water systems serving 6,193,356 people, with 40,486 cumulative violations and 3,786 health-based violations on record. About 99% of systems in the state carry at least one violation, and state-wide the average per system is 72 violations. PICKENS COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY's 133 violations sit above the Alabama average. Statewide, 157 of 306 UCMR5-tested systems have reported PFAS detections (51.3%). All figures above are sourced directly from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 public data releases and are updated as EPA publishes new reporting cycles.

PFAS Detected

1 PFAS "forever chemicals" detected in testing under EPA's UCMR5 monitoring program.

Population Served
14,364
Total Violations
133
Health-Based Violations
12
Water Source
Groundwater

System Details

System Type
Community
Owner Type
Local
Connections
4,788
County
Pickens
School/Daycare
No
MCL Violations
12
Monitoring Violations
117
Treatment Tech Violations
0

Violation History

Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.

Contaminant Category Count Latest
Coliform (TCR) MCL 12 2013
1,1-Dichloroethylene MR 4 2022
1,2-Dichloroethane MR 4 2022
1,1,1-Trichloroethane MR 4 2022
1,2-Dichloropropane MR 4 2022
Trichloroethylene MR 4 2022
1,1,2-Trichloroethane MR 4 2022
CHLOROBENZENE MR 4 2022
Benzene MR 4 2022
Toluene MR 4 2022
Ethylbenzene MR 4 2022
Styrene MR 4 2022
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 4 2022
Xylenes, Total MR 4 2022
DICHLOROMETHANE MR 4 2022
o-Dichlorobenzene MR 4 2022
p-Dichlorobenzene MR 4 2022
Vinyl chloride MR 4 2022
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 4 2022
Carbon tetrachloride MR 4 2022
Arsenic MR 4 2020
Antimony, Total MR 4 2020
Beryllium, Total MR 4 2020
Thallium, Total MR 4 2020
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene MR 4 2022
Selenium MR 4 2020
Tetrachloroethylene MR 4 2022
Coliform (TCR) MR 3 1991
LASSO MR 2 2023
Barium MR 1 2020

PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)

Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 2 of 540 samples detected PFAS.

Contaminant Date Result MRL Status
PFHxS 6/20/2024 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFTrDA 6/20/2024 <0.007 µg/L 0.007 µg/L Not Detected
PFHxA 6/20/2024 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFDoA 6/20/2024 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFDA 6/20/2024 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFOA 6/20/2024 <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Not Detected
PFUnA 6/20/2024 <0.002 µg/L 0.002 µg/L Not Detected
PFNA 6/20/2024 <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 6/20/2024 <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Not Detected
PFHpA 6/20/2024 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFBS 6/20/2024 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 6/20/2024 <0.006 µg/L 0.006 µg/L Not Detected
lithium 6/20/2024 <9 µg/L 9 µg/L Not Detected
PFOS 6/20/2024 <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Not Detected
PFPeA 6/20/2024 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFPeS 6/20/2024 <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Not Detected
PFHpS 6/20/2024 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFTA 6/20/2024 <0.008 µg/L 0.008 µg/L Not Detected
PFMBA 6/20/2024 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
NFDHA 6/20/2024 <0.02 µg/L 0.02 µg/L Not Detected
PFMPA 6/20/2024 <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Not Detected
8:2 FTS 6/20/2024 <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Not Detected
4:2 FTS 6/20/2024 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
6:2 FTS 6/20/2024 <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Not Detected
PFBA 6/20/2024 <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Not Detected
HFPO-DA 6/20/2024 <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Not Detected
ADONA 6/20/2024 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 6/20/2024 <0.002 µg/L 0.002 µg/L Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 6/20/2024 <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Not Detected
PFEESA 6/20/2024 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFEESA 6/20/2024 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 6/20/2024 <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Not Detected
PFTrDA 6/20/2024 <0.007 µg/L 0.007 µg/L Not Detected
PFTA 6/20/2024 <0.008 µg/L 0.008 µg/L Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 6/20/2024 <0.002 µg/L 0.002 µg/L Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 6/20/2024 <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Not Detected
PFUnA 6/20/2024 <0.002 µg/L 0.002 µg/L Not Detected
PFHxA 6/20/2024 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFNA 6/20/2024 <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Not Detected
PFHxS 6/20/2024 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFHpA 6/20/2024 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFBS 6/20/2024 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFHpS 6/20/2024 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 6/20/2024 <0.006 µg/L 0.006 µg/L Not Detected
NFDHA 6/20/2024 <0.02 µg/L 0.02 µg/L Not Detected
PFMPA 6/20/2024 <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Not Detected
PFMBA 6/20/2024 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFPeA 6/20/2024 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
8:2 FTS 6/20/2024 <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Not Detected
6:2 FTS 6/20/2024 <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Not Detected

Verify This Water System

The figures above are aggregated from EPA's public databases. To verify the underlying records — or to file a complaint, request a Consumer Confidence Report, or check current monitoring status — go directly to the federal and state regulators that enforce the Safe Drinking Water Act for PICKENS COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY.

Federal Source of Truth

EPA SDWIS — Federal Reports

EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) holds the federal compliance record for every regulated public water system. Open the system-level report by PWS ID:

View PWS ID AL0001106 on SDWIS

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Reports Search

State Regulator

Alabama Drinking Water Authority

Alabama's primacy agency administers the Safe Drinking Water Act locally. Search EPA SDWIS for the current state contact, or use the state's public health or environment department portal.

Find AL regulator via EPA SDWIS

Violation Timeline

Each row links to the EPA SDWIS public record for verification. Cross-reference the contaminant code on EPA's federal report to see violation dates, return-to-compliance status, and enforcement actions.

Year (latest) Contaminant Category Count EPA Record
2023 LASSO MR 2 SDWIS / AL0001106 / 2051
2022 1,1-Dichloroethylene MR 4 SDWIS / AL0001106 / 2977
2022 1,2-Dichloroethane MR 4 SDWIS / AL0001106 / 2980
2022 1,1,1-Trichloroethane MR 4 SDWIS / AL0001106 / 2981
2022 1,2-Dichloropropane MR 4 SDWIS / AL0001106 / 2983
2022 Trichloroethylene MR 4 SDWIS / AL0001106 / 2984
2022 1,1,2-Trichloroethane MR 4 SDWIS / AL0001106 / 2985
2022 CHLOROBENZENE MR 4 SDWIS / AL0001106 / 2989
2022 Benzene MR 4 SDWIS / AL0001106 / 2990
2022 Toluene MR 4 SDWIS / AL0001106 / 2991
2022 Ethylbenzene MR 4 SDWIS / AL0001106 / 2992
2022 Styrene MR 4 SDWIS / AL0001106 / 2996
2022 cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 4 SDWIS / AL0001106 / 2380
2022 Xylenes, Total MR 4 SDWIS / AL0001106 / 2955
2022 DICHLOROMETHANE MR 4 SDWIS / AL0001106 / 2964

How PICKENS COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY Compares

Cross-reference this system's record against state averages and the federal MCL framework for context.

Metric PICKENS COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY Alabama avg Federal benchmark
Total violations 133 72 SDWA compliance — any non-zero count is a recorded breach
Health-based violations 12 6.7 Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL
PFAS detection 1 compound 51.3% EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt
Population served 14,364 11,020 Sizing context for compliance burden

Sources: EPA SDWIS and EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR Part 141). State averages computed across 562 regulated public water systems in Alabama.

Federal MCL reference — Safe Drinking Water Act thresholds ▼
Contaminant Federal MCL / Action Level Note
Lead 0 mg/L (Action Level: 0.015 mg/L) Lead and Copper Rule treatment technique
Arsenic 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb) Health-based MCL since 2006
Total Coliform Treatment technique (RTCR) Indicator organism, monitoring trigger
PFOA / PFOS (PFAS) 4.0 ppt each (final 2024 rule) Compliance deadline 2029
Nitrate (as N) 10 mg/L Acute health risk for infants

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PICKENS COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY water safe to drink? ▼
PICKENS COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY (PWS ID: AL0001106) has 133 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. PFAS contamination has been detected in UCMR5 testing, with 1 PFAS compound found. This system serves 14,364 people using Groundwater sources.
How many people does PICKENS COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY serve? ▼
PICKENS COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY serves 14,364 people in CARROLLTON, Alabama. It is a Local-owned system using Groundwater water sources with 4,788 service connections.
What type of violations does PICKENS COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY have? ▼
PICKENS COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY has 133 total violations: 12 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 117 monitoring/reporting violations, and 0 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.
Has PFAS been detected in PICKENS COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY water? ▼
Yes. UCMR5 testing detected 1 PFAS compound in PICKENS COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY's water supply: lithium. PFAS are persistent "forever chemicals" that do not break down in the environment.
What water source does PICKENS COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY use? ▼
PICKENS COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY uses Groundwater as its primary water source. It is classified as a Community Water System (CWS), serving residential populations year-round.
Where does this data come from? ▼
All data comes from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and the UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program. SDWIS tracks compliance for all public water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Explore PlainWater

Water in Alabama

All systems in state
All States

Water quality by state
Contaminants

PFAS & other pollutants
Guides

Understanding water quality

Related Data for Alabama

Environmental Data → Natural Hazards → Air Quality → Healthcare Access → Climate Data →
Data Sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), Q4 2025. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 monitoring program (2023-2025). This data is provided for informational purposes only.

Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Related

Browse all → | Rankings →
Data sourced from $official public datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by Kiznis Studio Editorial