Water hardness in Alabama, characterized by the amount of dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium, can significantly differ among various cities across the state due to its varied geological landscapes. Situated in the Southeastern U.S., Alabama’s water hardness levels reflect the geological diversity within the state.
Across Alabama, water hardness can range from moderately soft to very hard. For example, regions with limestone bedrock, such as parts of northern Alabama and the Appalachian foothills, often have harder water due to the high mineral content. In contrast, areas with more sandstone or shale bedrock, such as the Coastal Plain in southern Alabama, may experience softer water.
The variation in water hardness throughout Alabama influences not only the taste and aesthetics of the water but also the efficiency of soaps and detergents, plumbing maintenance, and the lifespan of appliances that utilize water. Given the state’s geological diversity, water hardness is not uniform, highlighting the need for localized water treatment solutions and ongoing monitoring of water quality.
In the provided data, the water hardness levels show substantial variations across different cities in Alabama. Among the cities for which data is reported, the highest water hardness levels are recorded in Montevallo and Irondale, with hardness levels of 260 ppm (15 gpg) and 230 ppm (13.4 gpg), respectively. Conversely, the city with the lowest recorded water hardness level is Demopolis, reporting a hardness of 7.7 ppm (0.4 gpg).
City | Hardness ppm (mg/L) | Hardness gpg | Information Source | Notes |
Huntsville | 130.8 | 7.6 | Link | |
Birmingham | 98.0 | 5.7 | Link | |
Montgomery | 42.0 | 2.5 | Link | |
Mobile | 38.5 | 2.2 | Link | |
Tuscaloosa | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Hoover | 98.0 | 5.7 | Link | Serviced by Birmingham |
Auburn | 32.8 | 1.9 | Link | |
Dothan | n/a | n/a | Link | Alkalinity Only |
Madison | 67.0 | 3.9 | Link | |
Decatur | 69.0 | 4.0 | Link | |
Florence | 76.2 | 4.5 | Link | |
Prattville | 59.4 | 3.5 | Link | |
Phenix City | 22.3 | 1.3 | Link | |
Vestavia Hills | 98.0 | 5.7 | Link | Serviced by Birmingham |
Alabaster | 188.0 | 11.0 | Link | |
Opelika | 21.9 | 1.3 | Link | |
Gadsden | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Northport | 34.7 | 2.0 | Link | |
Athens | 117.5 | 6.9 | Link | |
Daphne | 32.2 | 1.9 | Link | |
Enterprise | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Homewood | 98.0 | 5.7 | Link | Serviced by Birmingham |
Trussville | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Pelham | 156.0 | 9.1 | Link | |
Bessemer | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Fairhope | 29.1 | 1.7 | Link | |
Foley | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Albertville | 28.6 | 1.7 | Link | |
Helena | n/a | n/a | Link | No online CCR |
Oxford | 131.0 | 7.7 | Link | |
Mountain Brook | 98.0 | 5.7 | Link | Serviced by Birmingham |
Anniston | 78.0 | 4.6 | Link | |
Cullman | 24.5 | 1.4 | Link | |
Prichard | 38.5 | 2.2 | Link | |
Calera | 207.0 | 12.1 | Link | |
Troy | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Millbrook | 79.9 | 4.7 | Link | Covered by MArbury Water |
Muscle Shoals | 68.4 | 4.0 | Link | |
Gulf Shores | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Chelsea | 90.5 | 5.3 | Link | Shelby County |
Selma | 90.4 | 5.3 | Link | |
Saraland | 23.2 | 1.4 | Link | |
Hueytown | n/a | n/a | Link | No online CCR on city website or EPA search |
Gardendale | 98.0 | 5.7 | Link | Serviced by Birmingham |
Hartselle | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Scottsboro | 83.2 | 4.9 | Link | |
Center Point | 98.0 | 5.7 | Link | Serviced by Birmingham |
Fort Payne | 98.3 | 5.7 | Link | |
Talladega | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Jacksonville | 68.1 | 4.0 | Link | |
Alexander City | 29.9 | 1.7 | Link | |
Jasper | 66.5 | 3.9 | Link | |
Ozark | 11.0 | 0.6 | Link | |
Pell City | 145.0 | 8.5 | Link | |
Moody | 120.3 | 7.0 | Link | Covered primarily by Birmingham and Leeds. Took the average of those two systems. |
Irondale | 230.0 | 13.4 | Link | |
Eufaula | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Leeds | 142.5 | 8.3 | Link | |
Sylacauga | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Pike Road | 42.0 | 2.5 | Link | Covered by Montgomery |
Spanish Fort | 45.9 | 2.7 | Link | |
Russellville | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Boaz | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Rainbow City | 110.5 | 6.5 | Link | |
Valley | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Clay | 98.0 | 5.7 | Link | Serviced by Birmingham |
Fultondale | 98.0 | 5.7 | Link | Serviced by Birmingham |
Southside | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Fairfield | 98.0 | 5.7 | Link | Serviced by Birmingham |
Pleasant Grove | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Sheffield | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Tuscumbia | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Clanton | n/a | n/a | Link | No online CCR on city website |
Guntersville | 88.3 | 5.2 | Link | |
Andalusia | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Arab | 69.3 | 4.0 | Link | |
Tuskegee | 46.9 | 2.7 | Link | |
Orange Beach | 9.9 | 0.6 | Link | |
Bay Minette | 20.7 | 1.2 | Link | |
Atmore | n/a | n/a | Link | No online CCR on city utility website |
Pinson | 98.0 | 5.7 | Link | Serviced by Birmingham |
Montevallo | 260.0 | 15.2 | Link | |
Lincoln | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Robertsdale | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Wetumpka | 17.0 | 1.0 | Link | |
Greenville | 10.0 | 0.6 | Link | |
Oneonta | 151.5 | 8.9 | Link | |
Hamilton | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Satsuma | 16.0 | 0.9 | Link | |
Demopolis | 7.7 | 0.4 | Link | |
Opp | n/a | n/a | Link | No online CCR on city utilities page |
Lanett | n/a | n/a | Link | Huguley Water Co |
Chickasaw | 38.5 | 2.2 | Link | Serviced by Prichard |
Margaret | 161.0 | 9.4 | Link | |
Semmes | 5.0 | 0.3 | Link | |
Tarrant | 98.0 | 5.7 | Link | Serviced by Birmingham |
Attalla | 164.0 | 9.6 | Link | |
Rainsville | 73.0 | 4.3 | Link | |
Monroeville | n/a | n/a | Link | Available by email request, not online |
Smiths Station | 41.9 | 2.4 | Link |
ppm = Parts Per Million
mg/L = Milligrams Per Liter
gpg = Grains Per Gallon
Hard water can cause issues such as mineral buildup in plumbing and appliances, reduce the efficacy of soaps and detergents, and affect the taste of the water. A tried and true solution is the use of a water softener. A water softener, like the ones from DROP, could be a worthwhile investment.
These devices work by replacing the calcium and magnesium ions that cause hardness with sodium ions, resulting in softer water. With innovative features, easy installation, and efficient operation, DROP smart water softeners provide a solution to hard water issues, extending the lifespan of appliances, improving water taste, enhancing soap effectiveness, reducing scale build-up, and increasing the overall water efficiency in your home.