Alabama is spending big money to get forever chemicals out of your drinking water. The state just committed over $127 million in federal infrastructure funds to help water systems across Alabama remove toxic PFAS chemicals – the largest investment in forever chemical cleanup in the state’s history.
Here’s where this money is going and what it means for your family’s water safety.
Alabama’s Historic Investment in Clean Water
The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) announced it’s providing more than $127 million to help water systems deal with PFAS contamination. This money comes from two major federal funding sources: the State Revolving Fund and President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The big picture:
- Over $127 million specifically for PFAS treatment and removal
- Funding helps both small rural communities and larger water systems
- Special focus on disadvantaged communities that can’t afford cleanup on their own
- Part of over $800 million in total water infrastructure investment across Alabama
Why this matters: Alabama has significant PFAS contamination, especially in North Alabama where 3M manufactured these chemicals for decades in Decatur. This is the first time the state has had serious money to actually fix the problem.
Where the Money Comes From
This isn’t state tax money – it’s coming from Washington through two main programs:
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL):
- Passed in 2021 under President Biden
- Largest federal investment in water infrastructure in American history
- Alabama expects to receive $765 million over five years from this law
- Includes special funding specifically for PFAS and other emerging contaminants
State Revolving Fund (SRF):
- Long-running federal-state partnership for water projects
- Provides low-interest loans and grants to water systems
- Has been helping Alabama communities for over 30 years
- Now enhanced with extra federal money for PFAS cleanup
The math: Alabama has received over $200 million in various federal water infrastructure funds since 2022, with the $127 million PFAS investment being the largest single commitment to forever chemical cleanup.
Which Communities Are Getting Help
The money is going to water systems across Alabama, with priority given to communities that need it most:
Small and disadvantaged communities:
- Rural areas that can’t afford expensive treatment systems
- Communities in Alabama’s Black Belt with historic infrastructure problems
- Water systems serving low-income populations
Areas with known PFAS problems:
- North Alabama, where 3M contaminated water supplies for decades
- Communities near airports and military bases (common PFAS sources)
- Water systems that have already detected forever chemicals
Recent examples:
- West Morgan East Lawrence Water Authority got help building a new treatment plant
- Multiple Black Belt communities received grants (not loans) for water infrastructure
- Small towns that couldn’t afford PFAS testing now getting financial assistance
How PFAS Got into Alabama’s Water
Forever chemicals didn’t just appear randomly in Alabama’s water supply. They got there through decades of industrial use:
3M’s Decatur plant:
- Made PFAS chemicals for over 40 years
- Contaminated the Tennessee River and surrounding areas
- Led to major water contamination in Lawrence and Morgan counties
- Company now under state consent order for cleanup
Other sources:
- Military bases using PFAS-containing firefighting foam
- Airports where foam was used for training
- Industrial facilities across the state
- Landfills where PFAS products were dumped
The scope: Since 2020, ADEM has required drinking water systems to test for PFAS. The results showed contamination was more widespread than previously known.
What This Money Actually Buys
$127 million sounds like a lot, but PFAS treatment is expensive. Here’s what this investment will fund:
Treatment technology:
- Reverse osmosis systems that filter out PFAS
- Activated carbon filters for smaller systems
- Ion exchange systems for specific types of contamination
- Regular monitoring and testing equipment
Infrastructure upgrades:
- New treatment plants for heavily contaminated systems
- Upgrading existing plants to handle PFAS removal
- Distribution system improvements
- Emergency backup treatment systems
Ongoing costs:
- Regular PFAS testing and monitoring
- Replacement of treatment filters and equipment
- Technical assistance for small water systems
- Training for water system operators
Is Your Community Getting Money?
If you live in Alabama and get your water from a public system, there’s a good chance your water company is eligible for this funding. Here’s how to find out:
Check with your water company:
- Ask if they’ve applied for PFAS treatment funding
- Request recent PFAS test results for your water
- Find out what treatment improvements are planned
Look for signs your community might qualify:
- Small or rural water system
- Located in an economically disadvantaged area
- Near known PFAS contamination sources
- Already detected PFAS in water tests
Contact ADEM directly:
- Alabama Department of Environmental Management handles the funding
- They can tell you if your water system has applied
- Visit their website or call for more information
What If You Have a Private Well?
If you get your water from a private well, this state funding doesn’t help you directly. You’re responsible for your own testing and treatment.
What you should do:
- Test your well water for PFAS, especially if you live in North Alabama
- Consider filtration systems if PFAS are found
- Check with local health departments for testing assistance
- Look into federal programs that might help individual well owners
The reality: Private well owners are mostly on their own when it comes to PFAS contamination, which is why this public system funding is so important for most Alabamians.
The Bigger Picture: Alabama’s Water Infrastructure Crisis
The $127 million for PFAS is part of a much larger effort to fix Alabama’s aging water systems:
Total state investment:
- Over $800 million committed to water infrastructure improvements
- $225 million from COVID relief funds for emergency projects
- Hundreds of millions more in low-interest loans available
The need:
- Nearly 40% of Alabama’s water systems applied for emergency funding
- Many systems haven’t been upgraded in 40-50 years
- Rural and disadvantaged communities hit hardest by infrastructure problems
Long-term impact: This federal investment is the biggest opportunity Alabama has ever had to fix its water infrastructure problems, including PFAS contamination.
What Happens Next
This money doesn’t fix everything overnight. PFAS cleanup is a long-term process:
Timeline expectations:
- Water systems must apply for and receive funding approval
- Treatment system design and installation takes 1-3 years
- Ongoing monitoring and maintenance continue indefinitely
Regulatory changes:
- EPA recently set drinking water standards for PFAS
- Alabama water systems must comply by 2031 (recently extended from 2029)
- More regulations likely coming for additional forever chemicals
Continued investment:
- More federal funding expected over the next several years
- State will continue providing technical assistance
- Private settlements (like 3M’s $12.5 billion) add to available resources
Bottom Line: Alabama Gets Serious About Forever Chemicals
Alabama’s $127 million investment in PFAS treatment represents the largest commitment ever made to removing forever chemicals from the state’s drinking water. Combined with federal infrastructure funds and private settlements, this is the best chance Alabama communities have ever had to clean up their water supply.
The good news: Help is coming for communities that have been dealing with PFAS contamination, especially in North Alabama where the problem is worst.
The reality: Even with this historic investment, cleanup will take years. Many water systems are just beginning to understand the scope of their PFAS problems.
Your best protection: Don’t wait for your water system to finish upgrading. Find out what’s in your water now and consider your own filtration options while the larger cleanup efforts move forward.
This investment shows Alabama is taking forever chemicals seriously. But protecting your family’s health today means staying informed about your local water quality and taking action if needed.
Take Action Today
- Contact your water company – Ask about PFAS testing results and treatment plans
- Check ADEM’s website – See if your water system has received funding
- Test your water – Especially important for private well owners in North Alabama
- Consider filtration – Don’t wait for community-wide solutions
- Check our report HERE
Sources: Alabama Department of Environmental Management, EPA press releases, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding announcements | Last Updated: June 24, 2025
Please read – our information
The information presented on cleanairandwater.net is compiled from official water quality reports, trusted news sources, government websites, and public health resources. While we strive for accuracy and thoroughness in our presentations, we are not scientists, engineers, or qualified water quality professionals.
Our mission is to present water quality information in an accessible, real-world format that helps people understand what’s in their water and make informed decisions about their health and safety. We believe that complex environmental information should be available to everyone in a format that’s easy to understand.
We make every effort to ensure our content is current and accurate, but we cannot guarantee that all information is complete or error-free. This website should not replace official communications from your local water utility or health department. We always recommend consulting official sources for the most up-to-date information regarding your specific water system.
Clean Air and Water is not liable for any unintentional errors, omissions, or outdated information. The content on this site is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice.
