Baldwin County, Alabama: drinking water report. Baldwin County on Alabama's Gulf Coast has about 231,000 residents in communities including Daphne,
Baldwin County on Alabama's Gulf Coast has about 231,000 residents in communities including Daphne, Fairhope, and Gulf Shores. The county is one of the fastest-growing in the Southeast, drawing water from the Miocene and deeper aquifer systems. Its 32-mile coastline on the Gulf of Mexico and proximity to Mobile Bay create a water environment where freshwater supply meets saltwater pressure.
Saltwater intrusion along the coastal communities is a growing concern as pumping increases. According to the Alabama Office of Water Resources' 2024 coastal groundwater report, chloride concentrations in production wells along the Fort Morgan peninsula have risen 40% over the past decade. Some wells in the Gulf Shores area now exceed 100 mg/L chloride – still below the 250 mg/L standard but trending in the wrong direction.
The former Brookley Air Force Base in Mobile, 30 miles west, has documented PFAS that may affect the regional aquifer system. ADEM's 2024 investigation found low-level PFAS at 6 ppt in monitoring wells in western Baldwin County. Agricultural runoff from the county's pecan, sod, and cattle operations contributes nitrate to the shallow groundwater.
Baldwin County's rapid growth is putting pressure on an aquifer system that is already managing saltwater intrusion. If you have noticed your water becoming harder or saltier over the past few years, that trend is likely to continue as development expands.
Check your water for current data at your address. For rising mineral content and PFAS, reverse osmosis handles both. Our water filter guide covers systems designed for coastal groundwater. Pull your detailed report for trends, and visit our Alabama page for statewide context.