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Is Bessemer Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Yes! Generally Safe to Drink*

LAST UPDATED: 7:48 pm, July 24, 2022
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Table of Contents

Can You Drink Tap Water in Bessemer?

Yes, Bessemer's tap water is generally considered safe to drink as Bessemer has no active health based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) that we are aware of. Other factors such as lead piping in a home, or low levels of pollutants on immunocompromised individuals, should also be considered, however. To find more recent info we might have, you can check out our boil water notice page or the city's water provider website.

According the EPA’s ECHO database, from April 30, 2019 to June 30, 2022, Bessemer's water utility, Bessemer Water Service, had 0 violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. For more details on the violations, please see our violation history section below. This assessment is based on the Bessemer Water Service water system, other water systems in the city may have different results.

While tap water that meets the EPA health guidelines generally won’t make you sick to your stomach, it can still contain regulated and unregulated contaminants present in trace amounts that could potentially cause health issues over the long-run. These trace contaminants may also impact immunocompromised and vulnerable individuals.

The EPA is reviewing if it’s current regulations around pollutant levels in tap water are strict enough, and the health dangers posed by unregulated pollutants, like PFAS.

Water Quality Report for Bessemer Tap Water

The most recent publicly available numbers for measured contaminant levels in Bessemer tap water are in its 2020 Water Quality Report. As you can see, there are levels which the EPA considers to be acceptable, but being below the maximum allowable level doesn’t necessarily mean the water is healthy.

Lead in tap water, for example, is currently allowed at up to 15ppb by the EPA, but it has set the ideal goal for lead at zero. This highlights how meeting EPA standards doesn’t necessarily mean local tap water is healthy.

EPA regulations continue to change as it evaluates the long term impacts of chemicals and updates drinking water acceptable levels. The rules around arsenic, as well as, lead and copper are currently being re-evaluated.

There are also a number of "emerging" contaminants that are not currently. For example, PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), for which the EPA has issued a health advisory. PFAS are called "forever chemicals" since they tend not to break down in the environment or the human body and can accumulate over time.

We recommend looking at the contaminants present in Bessemer's water quality reports, or getting your home's tap water tested to see if you should be filtering your water.

Bessemer Tap Water Safe Drinking Water Act Violation History - Prior 10 Years

Below is a ten year history of violations for the water system named Bessemer Water Service for Bessemer in Alabama. For more details please see the "What do these Violations Mean?" section below.

For the compliance period beginning Jan. 1, 2012, Bessemer had 1 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Monitoring and Reporting, more specifically, the violation code was Lead Consumer Notice which falls into the Chemicals rule code group, and the Lead and Copper Rule rule code family for the following contaminant code: Lead and Copper Rule.

Is there Lead in Bessemer Water?

Based on the EPA’s ECHO Database, 90% of the samples taken from the Bessemer water system, Bessemer Water Service, between sample start date and sample end date, were at or below, 0.0 mg/L of lead in Bessemer water. This is 0% of the 0.015 mg/L action level. This means 10% of the samples taken from Bessemer contained more lead.

While Bessemer water testing may have found 0.0 mg/L of lead in its water, that does not mean your water source has the same amount. The amount of lead in water in a city can vary greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood, or even building to building. Many buildings, particularly older ones, have lead pipes or service lines which can be a source of contamination. To find out if your home has lead, we recommend getting you water tested.

No amount of lead in water is healthy, only less dangerous. As lead accumulates in our bodies over time, even exposure to relatively small amounts can have negative health effects. For more information, please check out our Lead FAQ page.

Are there PFAS in Bessemer Tap Water?

Currently, testing tap water for PFAS isn’t mandated on a national level. We do have a list of military bases where there have been suspected or confirmed leaks. There appears to be at least one military base - Birmingham International Airport - near Bessemer with suspected leaks.

With many potential sources of PFAS in tap water across the US, the best information we currently have about which cities have PFAS in their water is this ewg map, which you can check to see if Bessemer has been evaluated for yet.

Our stance is better safe than sorry, and that it makes sense to try to purify the tap water just in case.

Bessemer SDWA Violation History Table - Prior 10 Years

Compliance Period Status Health-Based? Category Code Code Rule Code Contaminant Code Rule Group Code Rule Family Code
01/01/2012 - Resolved No Monitoring and Reporting (MR) Lead Consumer Notice (66) Lead and Copper Rule (350) Lead and Copper Rule (5000) Chemicals (300) Lead and Copper Rule (350)

What do these Violations Mean?

Safe Drinking Water Act Violations categories split into two groups, health based, and non-health based. Generally, health based violations are more serious, though non-health based violations can also be cause for concern.

Health Based Violations

  1. Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) - maximum allowed contaminant level was exceeded.
  2. Maximum residual disinfectant levels (MRDLs) - maximum allowed disinfectant level was exceeded.
  3. Other violations (Other) - the exact required process to reduce the amounts of contaminants in drinking water was not followed.

Non-Health Based Violations

  1. Monitoring and reporting violations (MR, MON) - failure to conduct the required regular monitoring of drinking water quality, and/or to submit monitoring results on time.
  2. Public notice violations (Other) - failure to immediately alert consumers if there is a serious problem with their drinking water that may pose a risk to public health.
  3. Other violations (Other) - miscellaneous violations, such as failure to issue annual consumer confidence reports or maintain required records.

SDWA Table Key

Field Description
Compliance Period Dates of the compliance period.
Status Current status of the violation.
  • Resolved - The violation has at least one resolving enforcement action. In SDWIS, this indicates that either the system has returned to compliance from the violation, the rule that was violated was no longer applicable, or no further action was needed.
  • Archived - The violation is not Resolved, but is more than five years past its compliance period end date. In keeping with the Enforcement Response Policy, the violation no longer contributes to the public water system's overall compliance status. Unresolved violations are also marked as Archived when a system ceases operations (becomes inactive).
  • Addressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and is addressed by one or more formal enforcement actions.
  • Unaddressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and has not been addressed by formal enforcement.
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Health-Based? Whether the violation is health based.
Category Code
The category of violation that is reported.
  • TT - Treatment Technique Violation
  • MRDL - Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level
  • Other - Other Violation
  • MCL - Maximum Contaminant Level Violation
  • MR - Monitoring and Reporting
  • MON - Monitoring Violation
  • RPT - Reporting Violation
show details
Code A full description of violation codes can be accessed in the SDWA_REF_CODE_VALUES (CSV) table.
Contaminant Code A code value that represents a contaminant for which a public water system has incurred a violation of a primary drinking water regulation.
Rule Code Code for a National Drinking Water rule.
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rule
  • 121 - Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 122 - Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 123 - Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Ground Water Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 331 - Nitrates
  • 332 - Arsenic
  • 333 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 111 - Revised Total Coliform Rule
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Rule Group Code Code that uniquely identifies a rule group.
  • 120 - Surface Water Treatment Rules
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Groundwater Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 330 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rules
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
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Rule Family Code Code for rule family.
  • 100 - Microbials
  • 200 - Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 300 - Chemicals
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
show details

For more clarification please visit the EPA's data dictionary.

Bessemer Water - Frequently Asked Questions

IS MY WATER SAFE?
Last year, as in years in the past, our water met all federal and state drinking water health standards. This report is designed to provide you with a snapshot of where your water comes from, what is in it, and how it compares to standards from the state and federal government. We are committed to serving high quality, safe water to our water users.
DO I NEED TO TAKE ANY SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS?
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno- compromised persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).
HOW DO I CONTACT BESSEMER CUSTOMER SERVICE?
To contact customer service for the Bessemer water provider, Bessemer Water Service, please use the information below.
By Phone: 205-481-4333
By Email: jyarbrough@bessemerutilities.com
By Mail: 1600 1st Ave North
P O BOX 1246
BESSEMER, AL, 35020
HOW TO PAY BILL FOR BESSEMER WATER SERVICE
Already have an account?

Existing customers can login to their Bessemer Water Service account to pay their Bessemer water bill by clicking here.

Want to create a new account?

If you want to pay your Bessemer Water Service bill online and haven't made an account yet, you can create an account online. Please click here to create your account to pay your Bessemer water bill.

Want to pay without an account?

If you don't want to make an account, or can't remember your account, you can make a one-time payment towards your Bessemer water bill without creating an account using a one time payment portal with your account number and credit or debit card. Click here to make a one time payment.

HOW TO START & STOP BESSEMER WATER SERVICE
Starting Your Service

Moving to a new house or apartment in Bessemer means you will often need to put the water in your name with Bessemer Water Service. In order to put the water in your name, please click the link to the start service form below. Start service requests for water bills typically take two business days.

Start Service Form

Want to create a new account?

Leaving your house or apartment in Bessemer means you will likely need to take your name off of the water bill with Bessemer Water Service. In order to take your name off the water bill, please click the link to the stop service form below. Stop service for water bills requests typically take two business days.

Stop Service Form

USER SUBMITTED RATINGS

Bessemer tap water
  • Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility 27% Low
  • Water Pollution 49% Moderate
  • Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility 73% High
  • Water Quality 52% Moderate

The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in Bessemer, measured on a scale from 0% (lowest) to 100% (highest).

Related FAQS

Bessemer Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report)

The EPA mandates that towns and cities consistently monitor and test their tap water. They must report their findings in an annual Consumer Confidence Report. Below is the most recent water quality report from Bessemer's Water. If you would like to see the original version of the report, please click here.

Water Quality Report

2020

City of Bessemer’s Water Usage

  • Summer Usage (May to October): 28.7 million gallons
  • Winter Usage: (November to April): 26.5 million gallons
  • We used almost 4 million more gallons of water this year than last.

Is My Water Safe?

Last year, as in years in the past, our water met all federal and state drinking water health standards. This report is designed to provide you with a snapshot of where your water comes from, what is in it, and how it compares to standards from the state and federal government. We are committed to serving high quality, safe water to our water users.

To better improve your water quality and remove pipes like these, the City is going to be starting another large water and sewer project in 2021.

From Where Does My Water Originate?

The supply comes from ground water wells at the Black River well field located north of town between Stone Road and the Black River. This well field consists of three (3) drilled wells. In its effort to supply you with the safest and most pleasing product the City filters out iron and manganese that cause staining and odors then adds chlorine for a disinfectant. A Wellhead Protection Plan for this well field has been approved by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.

Tell Me More About Our Water Supply

The City of Bessemer has two water tanks. One is carved inside the Bluff at Bluff Valley Park and the other is on the top of Tilden Hill.

Water Quality Report

2020

Overview: This report covers the drinking water quality for Bessemer, for the calendar year 2020. Included are details about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state standards.

Water Quality Data: In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which provide the same protection for public health.

The presence of contaminants in the water does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. The state allows us to monitor for certain contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants are not expected to vary significantly from year to year.

Terms and abbreviations used below:

  • Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
  • Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.
  • Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL): means the highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.
  • Maximum Residual Disinfectant Goal (MRDG): means the level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectant to control microbial contaminants
  • N/A: Not applicable ND: not detectable at testing limit ppb: parts per billion or micrograms per: liter ppm: parts per
    million or milligrams per liter pCi/l: picocuries per liter (a measure of radioactivity).

Action level: The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers other requirements that a water system must follow.

Regulated

MCL

MCGL

Level

Sample

Violation

Typical Source of Contaminant

Contaminant

 

 

Detected

Date

Yes/No

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fluoride (ppm)

4

4

0.13

8/20

No

Erosion of natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cyanide(ppm)

200

200

0.079

8-20

NO

Discharge from plastic and fertilizer factories; Discharge

 

 

 

 

 

 

from steel/metal factories.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barium (ppb)

2000

2000

110

8/14

No

Erosion of natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chlorine

MRDL

MRDLG

0.23 AVG.

 

 

Water additive used to control microbes

 

 

 

 

Daily

No

 

(ppm)

4

4

(.03-.64)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disinfection By-Products – Monitoring in Distribution System Stage 2 Disinfection Byproducts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TTHMs (ppb)

80

N/A

0.3

8/20

No

By-product of drinking water

Trihalomethanes

disinfection

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HAAs (ppb)

80

N/A

1

8/20

No

By-product of drinking water

Haloacetic Acids

disinfection

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water Quality Report

2020

Water Quality Data Cont.

Radioactive

MCL

 

MCLG

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contaminant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alpha emitters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Erosion of natural deposits

 

15

 

 

1.44

9/13

No

 

 

(pCi/L)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combined

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Erosion of natural deposits

 

5

 

 

0.18

11/02

No

 

 

Ra226/228

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special Monitoring and

Level

Sample Date

Typical Source of Contaminant

Unregulated Contaminant*

Detected

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sodium (ppm)

9.1

8/20

 

Erosion of natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contaminant

 

 

 

90th

 

Number of

 

 

Subject to an

Action Level

percentile

Sample Date

Samples

 

Typical Source of Contaminant

Action Level

 

 

 

 

 

 

Above AL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copper (ppb)

 

1300

280

9/18

0

 

Corrosion of household plumbing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lead (ppb)

 

15

0.65

9/18

0

 

Corrosion of household plumbing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Microbial

 

 

 

 

 

Number

Violation

 

Typical Source of Contaminant

 

 

 

MCL

 

MCGL

 

 

 

 

Contaminants

 

 

 

 

 

Detected

Yes/No

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Coliform

1 positive monthly sample

 

 

 

 

Naturally present in the environment

 

 

 

 

 

0

0

No

 

 

Bacteria

(Positive in > 5% of samples

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Unregulated contaminants are those for which EPA has not established drinking water standards. Monitoring helps EPA to determine where certain contaminants occur and whether it needs to regulate those contaminants.
  • Coliform are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially harmful, bacteria may be present.

Water Quality Report

2020

Picture from our previous Water and Sewer Project. Our upcoming water project in 2021 will replace water and sewer lines around town to ensure a quality product.

Why Are There Contaminants in My Water?

Drinking Water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and the potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water

Hotline (800-426-4791).

The sources of drinking water (both tap and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. Our water comes from wells. As water travels over surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence animals or human activity.

.

Contaminants that may be present in source water include:

  • Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations and wildlife.
  • Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming.
  • Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture and residential uses.
  • Radioactive contaminants, which are naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.
  • Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can, also, come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems.

Do I need to take any special precautions?

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno- compromised persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from

infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

Water Quality Report

2020

More Information on Lead

If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. The City of Bessemer is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791or at http://water.epa.gov/drink/info/lead/index.cfm.

2021 Water and Sewer Project

The City of Bessemer received one of the biggest grants ever given to a UP community from USDA. The city is receiving about $16,000,000 worth of grant funding and $5,000,000 of loans to replace our water and sewer lines throughout town. This project will replace 9 miles of roads at a value of about $5,100,000. This will include 8.5 miles of water pipe replacement, and 6 miles or sanitary sewer replacement. We are also going to be getting some booster pump and reservoir upgrades. Follow us on facebook for the latest updates.

To the left is a photo of replacing a hydrant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where Can I Find More Information?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did You Know

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This report will not be automatically mailed to individual utility

 

An American home can waste,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

customers of the City of Bessemer; however, a copy of this report

 

on average, more than 11,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

may be obtained at City Hall, 411 S. Sophie St., Bessemer, MI 49911,

 

gallons of water every year due

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

or web site cityofbessemer.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

to running toilets, dripping

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

faucets, and other household

 

 

 

 

For more information contact Neal Nelson at the Dept. of Public

 

leaks? Nationwide, more than 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works garage (667-0453).

 

trillion gallons of water leak from

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. homes each year.

 

 

For more information about safe drinking water, visit the U.S.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Environmental Protection Agency at www.epa.gov/safewater/.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contaminants


Bessemer Water Service

EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, as well as information from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO). For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (January 2019 - March 2019), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.

Utility details

  • Serves: 81759
  • Data available: 2012-2017
  • Data Source: Purchased surface water
  • Total: 16

Contaminants That Exceed Guidelines

  • Bromodichloromethane*
  • Chlorite*
  • Chloroform*
  • Chromium (hexavalent)
  • Dibromochloromethane*
  • Nitrate*
  • Nitrate and nitrite*
  • Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

Other Detected Contaminants

  • 1%2C4-Dioxane
  • Chlorate
  • Chromium (total)
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
  • Molybdenum
  • Radium%2C combined (-226 & -228)*
  • Strontium
  • Vanadium

Reminder

Always take extra precautions, the water may be safe to drink when it leaves the sewage treatment plant but it may pick up pollutants during its way to your tap. We advise that you ask locals or hotel staff about the water quality. Also, note that different cities have different water mineral contents.

Sources and Resources

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