Originally published by Natalie Crouse, Lee J. Styslinger Jr. College of Engineering. Adapted for the Alabama Water Institute.
A new three-year initiative will track PFAS contamination in coastal waters across Alabama and Mississippi, producing the first published data on these persistent chemicals in Gulf Coast waters for the region.
The Environmental Protection Agency awarded a grant to support the project, titled “PFAS Monitoring, Convening, Environmental Awareness and Portal for Alabama & Mississippi.” Dr. Leigh Terry, associate professor and associate director of the Center for Water Quality Research in The University of Alabama’s Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, serves as principal investigator. Dr. Mark Elliott, professor in the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering at The University of Alabama, serves as co-principal investigator.
The research team will collect more than 1,200 water samples to document PFAS levels throughout the region. These per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are human-made chemicals known for their persistence in the environment and potential risks to human and ecological health.
Though the project launched just last month, Terry said the team is already building a regional stakeholder consortium and preparing for sample collection. The early phase focuses on coordinating partners and establishing protocols for data gathering and analysis.
“This collaborative project allows us to bring leading researchers, utilities and community partners together to address emerging contaminants in a coordinated and proactive way,” Terry said. “By combining field sampling, rigorous analysis, and strong stakeholder engagement, we’re laying the groundwork for long-term solutions that support public health and environmental resilience across the Gulf Coast.”
The Alabama Water Institute is supporting the project by developing an interactive GIS portal that will make findings accessible to utility companies, policymakers and the public. The platform will allow users to visualize contaminant levels and track changes over time.
“We are grateful for the Alabama Water Institute’s support in helping advance these efforts and broaden our impact,” Terry said.
A consortium of regional stakeholders — including the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Insite Engineering and North Baldwin Utilities — will collaborate on strategies for addressing PFAS and other emerging contaminants. The approach is designed to serve as a model for other Gulf States. The project aims to deliver critical data, equip utilities with design tools and management strategies, and enhance community awareness to ensure safe water quality along the Gulf Coast.