Is Auburn, AL Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Auburn tap water is legally compliant, but one contaminant exceeds health guidelines. Specifically: PFAS above EPA limits (PFOA: 11.5 ppt — limit is 4 ppt each). A point-of-use filter is recommended for drinking and cooking water.
Hardness Scale: Where Auburn Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Auburn Compares
Auburn's water is 75% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 79% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within Alabama, it ranks #13 of 14 cities (50% below the state average of 70 PPM). Among cities (50k-100k), Auburn ranks #220 of 258 for hardness.
What Auburn's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 35 PPM - Low Concern
Auburn's water is slightly hard at 35 PPM. Most households won't notice any issues at this level. Scale buildup is minimal, and a water softener would be overkill. Auburn is softer than 79% of US cities. If you're thinking about water treatment, contaminant filtration is where to focus your money, not softening.
Contaminants & Safety
Forever chemicals (PFAS) are a serious concern here. Auburn has PFOA at 11.5 ppt — the EPA's 2024 limit is 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS individually. PFAS don't break down in your body or the environment. Research links long-term exposure to increased cancer risk, thyroid issues, and immune system problems. The fix: a whole-house activated carbon filter or a point-of-use reverse osmosis system. Look for NSF P473 certification — that's the standard that specifically tests for PFAS removal.
What's in the Treatment Process
Auburn's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 41.9 ppb (52% of the legal limit, but 279x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 28.8 ppb (48% of the legal limit, but 288x the EWG guideline). These are within legal limits, but the EWG sets much tighter thresholds based on cancer-risk research. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and byproducts.
Chromium-6 was detected at 0.118 ppb, which is 5.9x the EWG health guideline. There's no separate federal limit for chromium-6, only total chromium. A reverse osmosis system is the most effective removal method. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 35 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 60 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 14.5 ppt | — | No total limit | Detected |
| ↳ PFOA | 11.5 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ⚠ Exceeds |
| ↳ PFOS | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| Lead | 0.5 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 0.3 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 0.26 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Recommended Filter for Auburn
PFAS exceed EPA limits (PFOA: 11.5 ppt — limit: 4 ppt each). A certified filter reduces these contaminants effectively.
How to Test Your Water in Auburn
With PFAS at 14.5 ppt in Auburn's supply, confirming your home's specific levels is especially important. PFAS vary by neighborhood and can concentrate differently depending on your position in the distribution system.
Free option: Request City of Auburn Water's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
📊 Already Tested Your Water?
City averages miss neighborhood-level variation. Share your results to help your neighbors get better data.
We review every submission before publishing. Your ZIP is shown; your identity is not.
About Auburn's Water Supply
Water Utility: City of Auburn Water
Water Source: Lake Ogletree & reservoirs (Surface Water)
Population Served: 65,313
Hardness: 35 PPM (2 grains per gallon)
Auburn's drinking water comes from surface sources — Lake Ogletree & reservoirs. Surface water requires more extensive treatment than groundwater, including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. This heavier chlorination is why disinfection byproducts tend to be higher in surface-supplied systems. On the upside, surface sources often deliver softer water than deep aquifers. The system serves 65,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request City of Auburn Water's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.
ZIP Codes Covered by This Report
This water quality data applies to all areas served by City of Auburn Water in Auburn, AL, including ZIP codes:
35010, 35011, 36016, 36023, 36031, 36053, 36061, 36083, 36087, 36088, 36089, 36251, 36255, 36256, 36266, 36267, 36274, 36276, 36278, 36801, 36802, 36803, 36804, 36830, 36831, 36832, 36849, 36850, 36852, 36853, 36855, 36858, 36860, 36861, 36862, 36863, 36865, 36866, 36872, 36879
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Auburn to Other Alabama Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Auburn Water
Is Auburn tap water safe to drink?
Where does Auburn's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Auburn?
How do I remove PFAS from Auburn tap water?
What water filter is best for Auburn?
Is Auburn water safe for babies and infants?
What are disinfection byproducts in Auburn's water?
Is chromium-6 in Auburn's water?
Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.
What Auburn Homeowners Actually Buy
Prioritized for contaminant reduction for homes with 35 PPM water and PFAS above EPA limits.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Auburn's water data.