What the Helena 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; No brownfield records returned in this report.
- Infrastructure and incidents
- 3 pipeline incident records shown; 2 RMP facility records shown (earlier stored inventory, current location coverage unverified).Source date: PHMSA data as of Q1 2026
Water quality in Helena
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 Helena, AL from EPA SDWIS.
Helena, the Ub of the City of
PFAS above an official threshold detected in available EPA records.
Reviewed: active/open records as of Q1 2026
Purchased or imported water record · Serves 21,300 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 Apr 2025 to Sep 2025.
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: Sep 2025
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 | 0.0070 | 0.0040 | 2025-09-18 | Yes |
| PFOS | 0.0050 | 0.0040 | 2025-09-18 | Yes |
PFAS detections below EPA limits.
Nearby PFAS Investigation Sites
DoD records are nearby site investigations, not Helena 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
1
Impaired Water Bodies
EPA ATTAINS records identify assessed water bodies that do not meet water-quality standards for designated uses.
Beaverdam Creek-Cahaba River
Reported: Nov 2026
Health-relevant causes: Pathogens
Affected uses: Ecological, Fishconsumption, Other, Recreation
Data from EPA ATTAINS
Discharge Permits (NPDES)
2
Discharge Permits (NPDES)
NPDES permits regulate pollutant discharges into U.S. waterways. Facilities must report compliance quarterly.
No NPDES-permitted facility records with current violation flags surfaced for this city report.
Reviewed: active/open records as of Q4 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 Helena
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
Shelby 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
Reviewed: source records as of Q4 2025
Reported Air Emissions (TRI)
14
Reported Air Emissions (TRI)
TRI releases are self-reported annual totals (calendar year 2024). Hover fugitive or stack for definitions.
Forterra Pipe & Precast - Pelham Prestress
Reported: 2024
Georgia Masonry Supply Pelham
Reported: 2024
Research Solutions Group Inc
Reported: 2024
Land cleanup and hazardous waste records in Helena
Reviewed: source query run Nov 2026
Reviewed: source query run Nov 2026
Underground Storage Tanks
Underground Storage Tanks
No release reports shown in this group.
Reviewed: active/open records as of 2018
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.
No records shown in this group.
Reviewed: status dates within last 5 years
Data from MSHA
County radon potential
1
County radon potential
Shelby County, AL
EPA Radon Zone Map (June 2024 release)
Shelby 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 Helena
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.
Pipeline Incidents
1
Pipeline Incidents
PHMSA tracks incidents involving natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines. Incidents include leaks, ruptures, and explosions.
Recent Incidents (last 5 years)
COLONIAL PIPELINE CO
Incident date: Jun 12, 2024
- Type
- Hazardous Liquid
- Cause
- EQUIPMENT FAILURE
- Released
- REFINED AND/OR PETROLEUM PRODUCT (NON-HVL) WHICH IS A LIQUID AT AMBIENT CONDITIONS
Property damage: $100,000
Data from PHMSA
Community Health Indicators
Community Health Indicators
Health outcomes from County Health Rankings. Values shown alongside state and national averages.
Shelby County, AlabamaPop. 230,115
County Health Rankings edition: 2024
Premature Death
- County
- 6,593
- State
- 11,416
- National
- 7,972
Poor or Fair Health
- County
- 12.8%
- State
- 17.8%
- National
- 14.2%
Poor Physical Health Days
- County
- 3.1
- State
- 3.9
- National
- 3.3
Poor Mental Health Days
- County
- 4.9
- State
- 5.9
- National
- 4.8
Adult Smoking
- County
- 12.7%
- State
- 17.9%
- National
- 15.0%
Adult Obesity
- County
- 33.3%
- State
- 40.6%
- National
- 34.0%
Air Pollution - Particulate Matter
- County
- 10.6
- State
- 9.3
- National
- 7.3
Drinking water violation indicator
- County
- No
- State
- N/A
- National
- N/A
Diabetes Prevalence
- County
- 8.9%
- State
- 13.3%
- National
- 9.6%
Life Expectancy
- County
- 79.6
- State
- 73.7
- National
- 77.6
| Indicator | County | State | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premature Death | 6,593 | 11,416 | 7,972 |
| Poor or Fair Health | 12.8% | 17.8% | 14.2% |
| Poor Physical Health Days | 3.1 | 3.9 | 3.3 |
| Poor Mental Health Days | 4.9 | 5.9 | 4.8 |
| Adult Smoking | 12.7% | 17.9% | 15.0% |
| Adult Obesity | 33.3% | 40.6% | 34.0% |
| Air Pollution - Particulate Matter | 10.6 | 9.3 | 7.3 |
| Drinking water violation indicator | No | N/A | N/A |
| Diabetes Prevalence | 8.9% | 13.3% | 9.6% |
| Life Expectancy | 79.6 | 73.7 | 77.6 |
Environmental questions about Helena, Alabama
Has PFAS been found in the water in Helena, Alabama?
EPA testing found PFAS in water samples from the City of Helena, the Ub of the. Results dated Apr 22, 2025 to Sep 18, 2025 include PFBS at 0.0039 to 0.013 micrograms per liter and PFPeA at 0.007 micrograms per liter.
Check with the utility that serves your address for its testing results.
What do EPA records say about tap water in Helena, Alabama?
The EPA drinking water records available here list no violations for the City of Helena, the Ub of the.
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 Helena, Alabama?
Nearby EPA monitoring stations provide annual air quality measurements for Helena.
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 Helena, Alabama?
The radon data for Helena covers Shelby 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 Helena, Alabama?
No Superfund or brownfield sites were returned for this city report.
What is the life expectancy in Helena, Alabama?
The county data for Helena reports a life expectancy of 79.6 years in Shelby 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 Helena, Alabama?
The county data for Helena reports 6,593 years of life lost to deaths before age 75 per 100,000 residents in Shelby 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 Helena, Alabama?
The county data for Helena lists fine-particle pollution (PM2.5) at 10.6 micrograms per cubic meter in Shelby County, Alabama.
The figure is from the 2024 edition of County Health Rankings, a University of Wisconsin program that publishes county health statistics.
What environmental incidents are recorded near Helena, Alabama?
Federal pipeline records list an incident involving Colonial Pipeline Co near Helena on Jun 12, 2024. The reported release was a liquid petroleum product.
Federal pipeline records list an incident involving Colonial Pipeline Co near Helena on Apr 9, 2013. The reported release was a liquid petroleum product.
Federal pipeline records list an incident involving Colonial Pipeline Co near Helena on Sep 9, 2016. The reported release was a liquid petroleum product.