Mobile County, Alabama: drinking water report. Mobile County serves about 410,000 residents on Alabama's Gulf Coast.
Mobile County serves about 410,000 residents on Alabama's Gulf Coast. The Mobile Area Water and Sewer System (MAWSS) draws from Big Creek Lake, a reservoir about 40 miles north of the city. The county's coastal location and industrial port operations create a unique environmental context for water quality.
Big Creek Lake provides a relatively clean source, located in a rural watershed with limited industrial activity. UCMR5 data shows low-level PFAS detections in the MAWSS system. The county's industrial landscape – including the Port of Mobile, Brookley Aeroplex (former Brookley Air Force Base), and chemical manufacturing – creates potential contamination pathways.
According to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management's 2024 compliance data, MAWSS met all federal standards. Mobile's tropical climate means warm source water temperatures that increase disinfection byproduct formation potential, similar to other Gulf Coast utilities.
Mobile's reservoir supply is cleaner at the source than most Gulf Coast river intakes. The treatment system handles seasonal variability well.
Check your water for current data in your area. A carbon filter addresses taste and DBPs. For PFAS, reverse osmosis goes further. Our water filter guide covers options. Pull your detailed report, and visit our Alabama page for statewide data.