Ozark Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

The Utilities Board of the City of Ozark provides essential drinking water and sewer services to about 15,000 residents in Ozark, Alabama. Serving approximately 6,706 connections within the city, the utility draws from a mixed water supply. This includes groundwater from Alabama aquifers, which hold an immense volume of water, and surface waters drawn from local rivers and reservoirs. Big Creek Lake is one such surface source that contributes to regional supplies, with treatment processes at local plants ensuring the water meets all necessary standards before reaching consumers. Rate adjustments are scheduled for November 1, 2025, impacting usage charges and base fees.

Ozark's water originates within Alabama's extensive inland waterways watershed, specifically the Choctawhatchee River basin that flows to the Gulf of Mexico. The local geology is characterized by the Southeastern Coastal Plain, featuring unconsolidated sands, gravels, and clays. These layers sit atop the Floridan aquifer, which contains Oligocene-Miocene limestone. Further north, Paleozoic formations, including sandstones from the Pottsville Formation, also influence the groundwater composition. This diverse geological makeup results in water that is moderately mineralized, but generally softer than water from limestone-heavy areas due to the prevalence of siliceous sands and natural dilution.

As a supply characterized by soft water, Ozark's tap water generally causes little scale buildup on household fixtures, pipes, and appliances. This can mean less frequent maintenance for appliances like water heaters and dishwashers, and easier lathering of soaps and detergents. You'll likely notice minimal spotting on glassware or laundry. Installing a water softener isn't typically necessary or recommended for this type of water, as it could excessively remove beneficial minerals. Instead, homeowners might focus on routine filter changes and checking pipes for potential corrosion risks associated with low-mineral water. Standard treatment processes like coagulation, filtration, disinfection, and fluoridation are employed, and available regional data suggests compliance with EPA standards for lead, copper, and other contaminants.