Selma Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

The Selma Water Works & Sewer Board serves approximately 17,971 residents in Selma, Alabama, in Dallas County along the Alabama River. Water is sourced directly from the Alabama River at a point monitored by USGS station 02423000. The utility operates treatment facilities to process this surface water; no specific plant names are detailed in available reports. Contact is available at 334-872-4966, mailing address 7590 Alabama Highway 22, Valley Grande, AL 36701. The system maintains compliance with EPA standards.

The Alabama River watershed encompasses over 1,500 miles of inland waterways across Alabama, fed by tributaries including the Tallapoosa and Coosa Rivers originating in the Piedmont region. The river cuts through Cretaceous sedimentary formations, notably the Selma Chalk, a thick limestone-chalk layer that weathers to release dissolved minerals into the flow. This karst-influenced geology results in moderately mineralised water with elevated calcium and magnesium content, contributing to a harder supply profile typical of river systems traversing carbonate terrains. Total Dissolved Solids around 176 ppm reflect this mineral load from geological dissolution.

At moderately hard levels, scale buildup appears in pipes, fixtures, kettles, coffee makers, dishwashers, and water heaters, with higher energy costs over time. Regular vinegar descaling and scale-inhibiting filters mitigate most issues; a water softener is recommended for households noticing soap scum, dry skin, or appliance wear. Water quality testing by the Selma Water Works & Sewer Board earns an 'A' rating for legal compliance, though 5 of 8 detected contaminants — including fluoride, nitrate/nitrite, and 1,1-dichloroethane — exceed health advocacy guidelines while remaining below legal limits. Treatment involves coagulation, filtration, and disinfection; additional filtration is an option for health-conscious residents.