Alabama’s drinking water is contaminated by dangerous PFA—toxic “forever chemicals” that don’t break down and have been linked to cancer, liver and kidney damage, and serious reproductive issues.
These pollutants, found in products like nonstick pans and carpet, have seeped into the bodies of water like the Coosa River from nearby industrial sites and contaminated the drinking water of thousands of Alabama residents.
What's the Issue?
PFAS don’t break down naturally and can’t be removed with standard water treatment. Many communities can’t afford the costly upgrades needed, but you have the right to know if your water is impacted.
PFA exposure has been linked to:
- Liver cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Thyroid disease
- Low birth weight / fertility issues
- Ulcerative colitis
- Immune system suppression
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with one of these conditions while living in Alabama, your drinking water may be to blame.
Many water systems, including Birmingham, Montgomery, Auburn, and Huntsville, have been identified as likely or potentially impacted.
If you live in or near these areas, don’t wait. If you believe you’ve been exposed to PFAS contamination, contact us immediately.
PFAS Contamination and Cancer Risks in Alabama: What You Need to Know
PFAS—per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances—have been detected in drinking water across Alabama, raising serious concerns among residents, scientists, and public health officials. These “forever chemicals” don’t break down easily in the environment or in the human body.
Instead, they build up over time—and are now linked to life-threatening conditions, including several types of cancer.
Communities across Alabama are beginning to reckon with the long-term effects of exposure, both medically and legally.
What Are PFAS and Why Are They Dangerous?
PFAS are synthetic chemicals used since the mid-20th century in products like nonstick pans, firefighting foam, stain-resistant fabrics, and industrial coatings.
They’re valued in manufacturing for their resistance to heat, water, and grease—but this same durability makes them hazardous when they enter the environment.
In Alabama, PFAS have been found in:
- Municipal water systems
- Groundwater near industrial and military sites
- Surface water sources serving entire communities
Health Impacts in Alabama
Kidney Cancer
PFOA, a specific PFAS compound, has been repeatedly linked to renal cell carcinoma.
Men between the ages of 55–79 in Alabama face the highest risk, with ~1,000 new kidney cancer diagnoses annually in the state.
Testicular Cancer
PFAS exposure has been strongly associated with increased risk of testicular cancer.
Contamination near military bases and public water systems is a particular concern.
Ulcerative Colitis
PFAS compounds are suspected to trigger autoimmune reactions and inflammation, heightening the risk of chronic intestinal diseases like ulcerative colitis.
Thyroid Disorders
Exposure to PFAS has been linked to disruptions in thyroid hormone production, leading to conditions such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and thyroid cancer.
Liver Cancer
Studies suggest that long-term PFAS exposure can damage liver function, disrupt fat metabolism, and increase the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Compromised Immune Function
Exposure to PFAS can weaken the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off infections.
It may also reduce the effectiveness of vaccines and increase the risk of getting sick.
This can be especially harmful for children and people with existing health issues.
Reproductive and Developmental Harm
FAS exposure during pregnancy or early childhood can lead to problems like lower birth weight and developmental delays. It may also increase the risk of pregnancy complications and affect fertility.
Who Is Responsible for the Contamination?
Multiple major chemical manufacturers have been named in PFAS lawsuits filed in Alabama and across the country.
These include:
- 3M Company
- DuPont de Nemours, Inc.
- The Chemours Company
- BASF Corporation
- Tyco Fire Products
Legal complaints allege these companies:
- Sold PFAS-containing products without disclosing the health risks
- Failed to implement safety protocols
- Allowed PFAS to enter drinking water systems
- Prioritized profits over public health
The Scope of PFAS Contamination in Alabama
PFAS testing has confirmed contamination in water systems across Alabama. Certain municipal systems have already been classified as:
- Phase 1 providers — confirmed PFAS contamination.
- Phase 2 providers — suspected or at-risk systems under review.
Military installations such as Fort Novosel and industrial zones have also been flagged for elevated PFAS levels in groundwater and surrounding ecosystems.
Lists of Effected Providers
| Phase 1 Water Providers
|
Phase 2 Water Providers
|
| Alabaster Water Board | Abbeville Water Works & Sewer Board |
| Albertville Utilities Board | Alexander City Water Department |
| Arab Water Works Board | Aliceville Water & Sewer Board |
| Ardmore Water System | Andalusia (Utilities Board of) |
| Ariton Water Works | Anniston Water Works & Sewer Board |
| Arley Water Works | Asbury Water System |
| Athens Utilities | Ashford Water Works |
| Auburn Water Works | Ashville Water and Sewer |
| Belforest Water System | Attalla Water Works Board |
| Birmingham Water Works Board | Autauga Co Water Authority |
| Blount County Water | Bakerhill Water Authority |
| Boaz Water & Sewer Board | Bayou La Batre Utilities |
| Bridgeport Utilities Board | Beauregard Water Authority |
| Calera Water Works | Berry Water Department, Town of |
| Central Elmore Water Authority | Bessemer Water Service |
| Centre Water & Sewer Board | Bethel Water System |
| Chattahoochee Valley Water Supply District | Beulah Utilities District |
| Cherokee Water & Gas Department | Blountsville Utilities Board |
| Childersburg Water & Sewer Board | Boldo Water & Fire Prot. Authority |
| Clanton Water Department | Brent Utilities Board |
| Colbert County Rural Water System | Brewton Water Works |
| Coosa Valley Water Supply District | Brundidge Water Department |
| Daphne (Utilities Board of the City of) | Buhl, Elrod & Holman Water Authority |
| Decatur (Municipal Utilities Board of) | Butler County Water Authority |
| Deer Park-Vinegar Bend Water & FPA | Butler Water System |
| Dothan Utilities (City of) | Calhoun County Water & Fire Pr Authority |
| Fairhope Water System (City of) | Camden Water & Sewer Department |
| Fairview Water System (Conecuh) | Carrolls Creek Water Authority |
| Five Star Water Supply District | Cedar Bluff Utilities Board |
| Florence (Water Department), City of | Central Talladega County Water Authority |
| Foley (Utilities Board of the City of) | Centreville Water & Sewer |
| Frisco City Water System | Cherokee County Water Authority |
| Glencoe Water Works Board | Chilton Water Authority |
| Grand Bay Water Works Board | Chisholm Heights Water & F P Authority |
| Grove Hill Water Works | Citizens Water Service, Inc. |
| Guntersville Water Works & Sewer Board | Cleburne County Water Authority |
| Harvest-Monrovia Water System | Cleveland Water Works |
| Hawk Pride Mt Water System | Coaling Water Authority |
| Huntsville Utilities | Coffee County Water Authority |
| Irondale Water System | Coker Water Authority |
| Jackson Water Works & Sewer Board | Collinsville Water Works |
| Jacksonville Water Works, Gas and Sewer | Columbiana Water Works |
| Leeds Water Board | Cook Springs Water Authority |
| Leighton (WSB of the Town of) | Cordova Water Works & Gas Board |
| Limestone County Water System | Cottonwood Water Works |
| Lincoln (City of) | Covington County Water Authority |
| Loachapoka Water Authority | Cullman County Water Department |
| Loxley (Town of) | Cullman Water Works, City of |
| Madison Water Works & Sewer Board | Cumberland Mountain Water |
| Mobile Board of Water and Sewer Comm. | Curry Water Authority |
| Montevallo Water Works & Sewer | Dadeville Water Works & Sewage Board |
| Montgomery Water Works | Dale County Water Authority |
| Moulton Water Works Board | Daleville Water & Sewer Board |
| Moundville Water Works | Dallas County Water & Sewer Authority |
| Mt. Vernon (Town of) | Dauphin Island Water & Sewer |
| Munford Water Authority, Inc. | DeKalb-Jackson Water Supply District |
| Muscle Shoals Utility Board | Demopolis Water Works and Sewer Board |
| North Baldwin Utilities | Dora Utilities |
| Northeast Alabama Water System | Double Springs (Town of) W&S Board |
| Odenville (Util Board of the Town of) | Douglas Water Authority |
| Oneonta Utilities Board | East Alabama Water & Fire Pro District |
| Opelika Utilities | East Central Baldwin County Water & FPA |
| Opp Utilities Board | East Cullman Water System |
| Owens Crossroads Water Authority | East Lauderdale County Water Authority |
| Oxford Water Works & Sewer Board | Eclectic Water Works & Sewer Board |
| Pelham Water Works | Elba Water Works |
| Pell City Water Works | Elmore Water & Sewer Authority |
| Phenix City Utilities | Englewood-Hulls Water System, Inc. |
| Pine Hill Water Department | Enterprise Water Works |
| Prattville (Water Works Board of) | Eufaula Water Works |
| Rainbow City Utilities Board | Eutaw Water Department |
| Rogersville Water Works & Sewer Board | Evergreen Water Works |
| Saraland Water Service | Excel Water System |
| Satsuma Water Works | Fayette Co. Water Coord. & F. P. A. |
| Scottsboro Water Works | Fayette Water Works Board |
| Section-Dutton Water System | Fayetteville Water Authority |
| Sheffield Utilities Department | Fords Valley & Hwy 278 Water |
| Shelby County Commission-Water Services | Fort Payne Water Works Board |
| Smiths Water and Sewer Authority | Fosters-Ralph Water Authority |
| South Alabama Utilities Water System | Franklin County Water Services Authority |
| Southside Water Works | Freemanville Water System |
| Springville Water Works | Friendship Water Works |
| Star-Mindingall Water Authority | Ft Mitchell Water System |
| Stevenson (Util. Board of the Town of) | Gadsden Water Works and Sewer Board |
| Sulligent (City of) | Geneva Water Works |
| Swan Creek Community (Royce Swan, LLC) | Gilbertown (Utilities Board of Town of) |
| Sycamore Water and Sewer Authority | Gordo Wtr Gas & Sewer Board |
| Sylacauga Utilities Board | Graysville Water & Sewer Board |
| Talladega County Water System | Green Pond Water System |
| Talladega Water and Sewer Board, City of | Greene County Water Authority |
| Talladega-Shelby Water Treatment Plant | Greenhill Water & Fire Pro Authority |
| Thomasville Water Works & Sewer Board | Greensboro (Utilities Bd of the City of) |
| Tri Community Water System | Greenville Water Works |
| Trussville Utilities | Guin Water and Sewer Board |
| Tuscumbia Water Works | Gulf Shores (Utilities Board City of) |
| Tuskegee Utilities Board | Hale County Water Authority |
| Twin Water Authority | Haleyville Water Works & Sewer Board |
| Upper Bear Creek Water Authority | Hamilton Water and Wastewater Department |
| V.A.W. Water System, Inc | Hanceville (The WWSB of the City of) |
| Warrior River Water Authority | Hartford Water Works |
| Weaver Water System | Hartselle Utility Board |
| Wedowee Water, Sewer, & Gas Board | Headland Water Works |
| West Escambia Utilities Inc. | Heflin Water Works |
| West Lawrence Water Coop | Helena Utility Board |
| Wilsonville Water Works | Henry County Water Authority |
| Highland Water Authority | |
| Hokes Bluff Water Board | |
| Holtville Water System | |
| Houston County Water Authority | |
| Huguley Water Authority | |
| Jackson County Water Authority | |
| Jacksons Gap Water Authority | |
| Jasper Water Works and Sewer Board | |
| Jemison Water Works | |
| Johnsons Crossing Water System | |
| Joppa, Hulaco & Ryan Water Authority | |
| Kushla Water District | |
| Lafayette Water Works | |
| Lanett Water Works | |
| Lemoyne Water System, Inc. | |
| Level Plains Water System | |
| Linden Utilities Board | |
| Lineville Water Works Board | |
| Littleville Waterworks | |
| Livingston Water Works | |
| Lowndes County Water System | |
| Luverne Water & Sewer Department | |
| Macon County Water Authority | |
| Madison County Water Department | |
| Marbury Water System, Inc. | |
| Margaret Water Works | |
| Marion County Public Water Authority | |
| Marion Water Department | |
| McCall Water System Inc | |
| Millbrook Utilities | |
| Mitchell Water System Inc | |
| Mobile County Water & Fire Pro Authority | |
| Monroeville (Water Works Bd. of City of) | |
| Mulga Water Works and Gas Department | |
| Myrtlewood Water System | |
| NE Morgan Co Water and Sewer Authority | |
| New Hope Water System | |
| New London Water & Fire Pro Authority | |
| North Choctaw Water & Sewer Authority | |
| North Dallas Water Authority | |
| North Marshall Utilities | |
| Northeast Etowah County Water Co-op | |
| Northport Water Works | |
| Oakman Water Works | |
| Old Line Water System | |
| Orange Beach Water, Sewer and F.P.A. | |
| Ozark Utilities Board | |
| Parrish Water Works Board | |
| Perdido Bay Water, Sewer & F.P.A | |
| Phil Campbell Water Works | |
| Pickens County Water & F.P. Authority | |
| Piedmont Utilities Board | |
| Pike County Water Authority | |
| Pine Bluff Water Authority | |
| Pintlala Water System, Inc. | |
| Prichard Water Works Board | |
| Quint-Mar Water Authority | |
| Randolph County Water & Sewer Authority | |
| Red Bay Water & Gas Board | |
| Riverside (Town of) | |
| Roanoke (The Util. Bd. of the City of) | |
| Robertsdale (City of) | |
| Rockford Utilities Board, Inc | |
| Russell County Water Authority | |
| Russellville Water Works | |
| Samson Water Works | |
| Sardis City Water Board | |
| Selma Water Works & Sewer Board | |
| Slocomb Water Works and Sewer Board | |
| Snead Water Works | |
| South Bullock County Water Authority | |
| South Crenshaw County Water Authority | |
| South Dallas Water Authority | |
| South Marengo Co Water & Fire Pro Auth | |
| Southwest Alabama Water Authority | |
| Spanish Fort Water System | |
| Spring Valley |
Legal Action and Federal PFAS Lawsuits
All PFAS drinking water lawsuits have been consolidated in federal court in Charleston, South Carolina. However, individual claims from Alabama residents are still being accepted and processed.
These cases typically involve:
- Personal injury (cancer, chronic illness)
- Loss of income or quality of life
- Medical expenses and future treatment costs
- Property damage from water contamination
- Emotional distress and loss of consortium
What You Can Do Now
If you believe PFAS exposure may have affected your health or that of a loved one, it’s critical to take proactive steps:
- Get your drinking water tested (especially if you're on a private well).
- Install an activated carbon or reverse osmosis filter.
- Monitor your health and consult your doctor about PFAS-related risks.
- Contact our team of Alabama PFAS lawyers today for a free case review
Seeking Legal Help in Alabama
Time limits (statutes of limitations) apply to injury claims. If you’ve been diagnosed with kidney cancer, testicular cancer, ulcerative colitis, thyroid cancer, or liver cancer—and you lived in an area now known for PFAS contamination—you may have a right to financial compensation.
Call us now or fill out our contact form to find out if you’re eligible for compensation. We are currently reviewing cases statewide.
Don’t wait. Get informed. Get tested. Contact our legal team to fight for your rights.