What the Bessemer records show
- Water quality and PFAS
- 1 candidate water system shown.Source date: Violations as of Q1 2026
- Air quality and emissions
- 3 monitoring records shown. Observation year: 2025.Source date: AQS data as of 2026
- Land and cleanup records
- No Superfund records returned in this report; 3 brownfield records shown.
- Infrastructure and incidents
- No pipeline incident records returned in this report; 3 RMP facility records shown (earlier stored inventory, current location coverage unverified).
Water quality in Bessemer
Check your water bill for your utility name and confirm the reporting year. See EPA’s guide to finding your annual water quality report.
Drinking Water Compliance
Drinking Water Compliance
Public water-system records for Bessemer, AL from EPA SDWIS.
Bessemer Water Service
Active monitoring or reporting issue detected in EPA SDWIS.
Reviewed: active/open records as of Q1 2026
Purchased or imported water record · Serves 86,091 people
Data from EPA SDWIS
PFAS Screening
2
PFAS Screening
PFAS screening separates EPA UCMR5 drinking-water monitoring from nearby DoD PFAS investigation-site records; EPA samples shown are from Jun 2024 to Dec 2024.
Drinking Water PFAS Monitoring
EPA UCMR5 samples public water systems. These results are separate from nearby PFAS cleanup or investigation-site records.
2 PFAS sample results above EPA limits
Sample period: Jun 2024 to Sep 2024
UCMR5 results are sampled by public water system, not every household. Confirm your water provider before treating these as tap-water results for a specific address.
| Chemical | Concentration (µg/L) | EPA Limit (µg/L) | Sample date | Over Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOS | 0.0059 | 0.0040 | 2024-09-09 | Yes |
| PFOS | 0.0057 | 0.0040 | 2024-06-17 | Yes |
PFAS detections below EPA limits.
Nearby PFAS Investigation Sites
DoD records are nearby site investigations, not Bessemer drinking-water detections. Record names come from the source database and can be broad.
No DoD PFAS investigation records shown for this report.
Impaired Water Bodies
Impaired Water Bodies
No health-relevant impairment records shown among the assessment records in this report.
Reviewed: source records as of 2026
Discharge Permits (NPDES)
3
Discharge Permits (NPDES)
NPDES permits regulate pollutant discharges into U.S. waterways. Facilities must report compliance quarterly.
Violation records
Last inspected: Dec 2025
Data from EPA ECHO
To investigate water contamination, check the sampling locations, dates and results below. For tap water records, see Drinking water quality above.
Reviewed: source records as of 2026
Air quality and emissions in Bessemer
Review historical EPA air pollution records, including monitoring and facility emissions where available. For current conditions, check local air quality on AirNow.
EPA AirToxScreen — Estimated Cancer Risk
1
EPA AirToxScreen — Estimated Cancer Risk
Jefferson County
Assessment year: 2020
According to EPA, a cancer risk of 40-in-1-million means that for every 1 million people continuously exposed to these air toxics over a 70-year lifetime, an estimated 40 may develop cancer from that exposure. This is in addition to cancer risk from all other causes.
Top modeled source groups
Data from EPA AirToxScreen
Nonattainment Status
Nonattainment Status
EPA designates an area as nonattainment when air quality does not meet federal health-based standards (NAAQS) for a specific pollutant.
Maintenance areas
Previously nonattainment; currently meeting the standard and monitored under an EPA maintenance plan.
Birmingham
PM2.5 · PM-2.5 (1997 Standard)
Classification: Former Subpart 1
Original designation: Apr 2005
Current design value: 9.6 µg/m³ (2023-2025)
Historical designations under the revoked 1997 ozone standard
These records describe historical designations. EPA revoked the 1997 ozone standard on April 6, 2015.
Birmingham Area
Historical standard: 0.08 ppm (8-hour)
Historical designation: Maintenance · Former Subpart 1
Original designation: Jun 2004
Open data source: EPA final revocation ruleContinuing requirements have not been verified for this area.
Data from EPA Green Book
Air Quality Monitoring (AQS)
Air Quality Monitoring (AQS)
EPA annual monitor summaries describe past measurements. For current air quality, see AirNow.
Arkadelphia/near Road — Birmingham, Alabama
Annual mean: 0.2 Parts per million
Observation year: 2025
Annual mean: 24.9 Parts per billion
Observation year: 2025
Annual mean: 9.2 Micrograms/cubic meter (LC)
Includes measurements flagged for exceptional events.
Observation year: 2025
Data from EPA AQS
Air Quality Violations or Noncompliance
2
Air Quality Violations or Noncompliance
Facilities regulated under the Clean Air Act. CAA HPV flags indicate serious noncompliance such as exceeding emission limits.
Air Violations
Last inspected: Dec 2025
Last inspected: Dec 2025
Data from EPA ECHO
Reported Air Emissions (TRI)
2
Reported Air Emissions (TRI)
TRI releases are self-reported annual totals (calendar year 2024). Hover fugitive or stack for definitions.
Birmingham Hide & Tallow Co Inc
Reported: 2024
Bpi Inc-Bessemer Al Plant
Reported: 2024
Land cleanup and hazardous waste records in Bessemer
Reviewed: source query run Nov 2026
Brownfield Sites
2
Brownfield Sites
Brownfield sites are properties where redevelopment is complicated by the presence of hazardous substances.
Open data source: Search EPA ECHO2 sites with active cleanup or investigation status
2900 14th Avenue North, Bessemer
Reported: Feb 2026
2900 12th Avenue North, Bessemer
Reported: Feb 2026
Hazardous Waste — RCRA Handlers
3
Hazardous Waste — RCRA Handlers
Facilities with hazardous-waste handler records under RCRA in the reviewed 5-mile city-center search area. Active handler status is separate from air, water, or other ECHO compliance violations, which are shown in their own sections.
Active RCRA handler records in the reviewed city search area
Underground Storage Tanks
2
Underground Storage Tanks
Release reports
Reported: Dec 2021
Reported: Dec 2021
Data from EPA UST Finder
Reviewed: reporting year 2024
MSHA Mine and Extraction Sites
3
MSHA Mine and Extraction Sites
Sites regulated by the Mine Safety and Health Administration, including mines, sand and gravel operations, and portable crushers. Status and type are from the MSHA Mine Data Retrieval System. Records with active/intermittent status dates older than 5 years are shown as older records rather than current active sites.
More MSHA records matched the search than this preview shows.
No records shown in this group.
Reviewed: status dates within last 5 years
Data from MSHA
County radon potential
1
County radon potential
Jefferson County, AL
EPA Radon Zone Map (June 2024 release)
Jefferson County is EPA Radon Zone 2 (moderate potential). EPA defines Zone 2 counties as having predicted average indoor screening levels between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L.
Radon levels can vary from home to home, so EPA recommends testing the property to know its indoor level.
FEMA flood zones and infrastructure in Bessemer
FEMA Flood Zones
1
FEMA Flood Zones
FEMA flood zones describe mapped flood hazards. Look up a specific address with FEMA.
Special Flood Hazard Area — 1% annual chance of flooding (100-year floodplain) with base flood elevation.
EPA Risk Management Program Records
EPA Risk Management Program Records
Results use an earlier stored RMP inventory. Current EPA ECHO location coverage is unverified.
EPA ECHO lists facilities linked to the Risk Management Program. Results include facilities with locations that can be matched. Records may be historical. Current operations, chemical inventories, and recent accident history are unverified.
Reviewed: 2000-present
Community Health Indicators
Community Health Indicators
Health outcomes from County Health Rankings. Values shown alongside state and national averages.
Jefferson County, AlabamaPop. 665,409
County Health Rankings edition: 2024
Premature Death
- County
- 12,626
- State
- 11,416
- National
- 7,972
Poor or Fair Health
- County
- 18.5%
- State
- 17.8%
- National
- 14.2%
Poor Physical Health Days
- County
- 3.9
- State
- 3.9
- National
- 3.3
Poor Mental Health Days
- County
- 5.8
- State
- 5.9
- National
- 4.8
Adult Smoking
- County
- 16.4%
- State
- 17.9%
- National
- 15.0%
Adult Obesity
- County
- 39.3%
- State
- 40.6%
- National
- 34.0%
Air Pollution - Particulate Matter
- County
- 10.7
- State
- 9.3
- National
- 7.3
Drinking water violation indicator
- County
- No
- State
- N/A
- National
- N/A
Diabetes Prevalence
- County
- 12.6%
- State
- 13.3%
- National
- 9.6%
Life Expectancy
- County
- 72.9
- State
- 73.7
- National
- 77.6
| Indicator | County | State | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premature Death | 12,626 | 11,416 | 7,972 |
| Poor or Fair Health | 18.5% | 17.8% | 14.2% |
| Poor Physical Health Days | 3.9 | 3.9 | 3.3 |
| Poor Mental Health Days | 5.8 | 5.9 | 4.8 |
| Adult Smoking | 16.4% | 17.9% | 15.0% |
| Adult Obesity | 39.3% | 40.6% | 34.0% |
| Air Pollution - Particulate Matter | 10.7 | 9.3 | 7.3 |
| Drinking water violation indicator | No | N/A | N/A |
| Diabetes Prevalence | 12.6% | 13.3% | 9.6% |
| Life Expectancy | 72.9 | 73.7 | 77.6 |
Environmental questions about Bessemer, Alabama
Has PFAS been found in the water in Bessemer, Alabama?
EPA testing found PFAS in water samples from Bessemer Water Service. Results dated Jun 17, 2024 to Dec 2, 2024 include PFPeA at 0.0034 to 0.0077 micrograms per liter and PFBA at 0.0056 to 0.006 micrograms per liter.
Check with the utility that serves your address for its testing results.
What do EPA records say about tap water in Bessemer, Alabama?
EPA drinking water records on this page list 6 violations for Bessemer Water Service, including 1 marked active.
Check your water bill to identify the utility serving your address. Ask that utility about current drinking water advisories.
What do annual air monitors show near Bessemer, Alabama?
Nearby EPA monitoring stations provide annual air quality measurements for Bessemer.
The monitoring station at Arkadelphia/Near Road, Birmingham, Alabama recorded an annual average of 0.2 Parts per million for carbon monoxide in 2025.
The monitoring station at Arkadelphia/Near Road, Birmingham, Alabama recorded an annual average of 24.9 Parts per billion for nitrogen dioxide in 2025.
The monitoring station at Arkadelphia/Near Road, Birmingham, Alabama recorded an annual average of 9.2 Micrograms/cubic meter (LC) for fine particles (PM2.5) in 2025.
Download 2025 EPA annual monitor dataCurrent air quality on AirNow
Is there radon in Bessemer, Alabama?
The radon data for Bessemer covers Jefferson County. EPA places this area in Zone 2, with a predicted average indoor radon screening level of 2 to 4 picocuries per liter.
Are there Superfund or brownfield sites near Bessemer, Alabama?
No Superfund sites were returned for this city report.
This city report shows 3 brownfield sites: 14th Avenue North Properties 2900 2901; Albano Building; Auto Salvage Yard Former.
EPA Superfund recordsView on EPA ECHOView on EPA ECHOView on EPA ECHO
What is the life expectancy in Bessemer, Alabama?
The county data for Bessemer reports a life expectancy of 72.9 years in Jefferson County, Alabama.
The figure is from the 2024 edition of County Health Rankings, a University of Wisconsin program that publishes county health statistics.
What does the data say about premature deaths in Bessemer, Alabama?
The county data for Bessemer reports 12,626 years of life lost to deaths before age 75 per 100,000 residents in Jefferson County, Alabama. This measure adds up the years lost to early deaths and adjusts for differences in population age.
The figure is from the 2024 edition of County Health Rankings, a University of Wisconsin program that publishes county health statistics.
Is there air pollution in Bessemer, Alabama?
The county data for Bessemer lists fine-particle pollution (PM2.5) at 10.7 micrograms per cubic meter in Jefferson County, Alabama.
The figure is from the 2024 edition of County Health Rankings, a University of Wisconsin program that publishes county health statistics.