Is Montgomery, AL Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Yes, Montgomery tap water is safe to drink. Hardness is low at 41 PPM, and no contaminants exceed health guidelines. Most homes here don't need treatment.
Hardness Scale: Where Montgomery Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Montgomery Compares
Montgomery's water is 70% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 75% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within Alabama, it ranks #12 of 14 cities (41% below the state average of 70 PPM). Among large cities (200k-500k), Montgomery ranks #126 of 165 for hardness.
What Montgomery's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 41 PPM - Low Concern
Montgomery's water is slightly hard at 41 PPM. Most households won't notice any issues at this level. Scale buildup is minimal, and a water softener would be overkill. If you're thinking about water treatment, contaminant filtration is where to focus your money, not softening.
Contaminants & Safety
Lead levels deserve attention. At 5.3 ppb, Montgomery is above the ideal of zero, though below the EPA action level of 15 ppb (dropping to 10 ppb in November 2027 under the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements). The lead typically comes from aging service lines or interior plumbing, not the treatment plant. A point-of-use filter certified for lead at the kitchen faucet is a practical safeguard, especially in older homes.
What's in the Treatment Process
Montgomery's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 27.4 ppb (34% of the legal limit, but 182x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 19.8 ppb (33% of the legal limit, but 198x 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 0.0413 ppb, which is 2.1x 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) | 41 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 50 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 0 ppt | — | No total limit | ✓ ND |
| ↳ PFOA | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| ↳ PFOS | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| Lead | 5.3 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ⚠ Elevated |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 1.2 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 0.357 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Quick Fix for Chlorine: Shower Filter
At 1.2 mg/L chlorine, many Montgomery residents notice dry skin, brittle hair, and that "pool smell" in the shower. A shower filter installs in 5 minutes, no tools needed.
How to Test Your Water in Montgomery
Lead enters water from your home's plumbing, not the treatment plant — so Montgomery's city-wide average of 5.3 ppb may not match your tap. Testing your specific faucet is the only way to know. Run cold water for 30 seconds before collecting a sample.
Free option: Request Montgomery Water Works's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About Montgomery's Water Supply
Water Utility: Montgomery Water Works
Water Source: Tallapoosa River (Surface Water)
Population Served: 276,000
Hardness: 41 PPM (2.4 grains per gallon)
Montgomery's drinking water comes from surface sources — Tallapoosa River. 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 276,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request Montgomery Water Works'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 Montgomery Water Works in Montgomery, AL, including ZIP codes:
36005, 36009, 36013, 36015, 36024, 36028, 36029, 36030, 36032, 36033, 36034, 36035, 36036, 36037, 36038, 36039, 36041, 36042, 36043, 36045, 36046, 36047, 36049, 36052, 36057, 36062, 36064, 36065, 36069, 36071, 36075, 36078, 36079, 36081, 36082, 36093, 36101, 36102, 36103, 36104, 36105, 36106, 36107, 36108, 36109, 36110, 36111, 36112, 36113, 36114, 36115, 36116, 36117, 36118, 36119, 36120, 36121, 36123, 36124, 36125, 36130, 36131, 36132, 36135, 36140, 36141, 36142, 36177, 36191, 36401, 36456, 36474
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Montgomery to Other Alabama Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Montgomery Water
Is Montgomery tap water safe to drink?
Where does Montgomery's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Montgomery?
What water filter is best for Montgomery?
Is Montgomery water safe for babies and infants?
What are disinfection byproducts in Montgomery's water?
Is chromium-6 in Montgomery's water?
Why does Montgomery water taste like chlorine?
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 Montgomery Homeowners Actually Buy
Common purchases for homes with 41 PPM water.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Montgomery's water data.