Is Decatur tap water safe to drink?

Yes with good quality

Decatur's tap water meets all EPA standards and scores well on our analysis. It is generally safe to drink though filtration can improve taste and provide extra precaution.

82/100
Purity Score
2
Issues Found
4.5 GPG
Hardness
Not detected
PFAS

2 Issues Detected in Decatur

Moderate Chlorine Level

Chlorine within EPA limits but may affect taste.

Chlorine info for Decatur

Arsenic Approaching Limit (0.2 mg/L)

EPA limit is 0.010 mg/L.

Arsenic info for Decatur
Alabama

356,013,560,235,603 · Wheeler Reservoir Tennessee River

Decatur Water Safety and Contaminant Report

Low Risk Updated March 2026 57,483 residents
See Best Filters for Decatur
82
Purity Score

Water quality in Decatur, Alabama is evaluated here using public utility data and independent testing. The report includes a purity score, contaminant breakdown, and tailored filter recommendations.

Contaminant Levels

PFAS
ND
Lead
2.2 ppb
Nitrate
0.5 mg/L
Arsenic
0.2 mg/L
Hardness
4.5 gpg

Health Insights

  • 1
    Chlorine levels may affect the taste of Decatur's tap water. A carbon filter improves flavor.

Score

82 /100
Good
"Good" threshold (70)

Decatur tap water is sourced from Wheeler Reservoir Tennessee River and treated by Decatur Utilities Water Department. Overall purity score: 82/100 (Good). Updated for 2026.

Fix Your Water

Best filters matched to Decatur's 2 issues.

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Explore Decatur Water Data

PFAS Levels in DecaturPFAS testing data
Decatur Lead LevelsLead testing data
Water Hardness in DecaturHardness levels
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Decatur Water FAQ

Is Decatur AL tap water safe to drink in 2026?
Decatur tap water meets EPA federal drinking water standards and scores 82/100 (Good) on PurityMap for 2026. For most healthy adults the water is considered safe but point-of-use filtration adds an important layer of protection.
Does Decatur AL use chlorine or chloramine for disinfection?
Decatur uses chloramine as the primary disinfectant with a residual level of 1.4 ppm. Chloramine is harder to remove than free chlorine and requires a catalytic carbon or reverse osmosis filter. Standard Brita-style pitchers will NOT remove chloramine.
How hard is Decatur AL water and what is the TDS level?
Decatur water hardness is 4.5 grains per gallon (moderate) with a TDS of 135 ppm (good). This level is unlikely to cause significant scale buildup in household plumbing.
Has PFAS been found in Decatur AL drinking water?
Based on available EPA UCMR5 monitoring data as of 2026 PFAS have not been detected above EPA advisory levels in Decatur drinking water.
What is the best water filter for Decatur?
Based on Decatur's water profile, we recommend the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher. Decatur has elevated chlorine residuals. An under-sink carbon filter removes chlorine and disinfection byproducts at the tap.

Nearby Reports

BirminghamAlabama — 82/100MontgomeryAlabama — 82/100HuntsvilleAlabama — 82/100TuscaloosaAlabama — 82/100MobileAlabama — 82/100HooverAlabama — 82/100

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Data Sources

  • EPA SDWIS
  • EWG Tap Water Database
  • Decatur Utilities Water Department CCR
  • USGS monitoring data

PurityMap compiles public data. Updated March 2026.

© 2026 PurityMap. For informational purposes only.

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