Cahaba Riverkeeper begins bacteriological testing program

The Cahaba Riverkeeper began its third summer bacteriological testing program along the Cahaba River and its tributaries on May 5. 

This year testing will take place at 12 sites along the river from Trussville to Helena, including Shades Creek at Jemison Park in Mountain Brook and the boat launch near Grandview Medical Center on U.S. 280. Testing will run from May to September. David Butler will lead the field study with the assistance of scientific consultant Shaun Crawford and summer college interns.

“We are especially excited this year to initiate our close working relationship with Coosa Riverkeeper, which is also conducting bacteriological testing,” said Butler. “Coosa will be sharing their technical equipment and expertise with us, as a result of a collaborative grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham.”

Testing sites were chosen for their use for swimming and boating. New locations include Jemison Park, Living River, the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge, Moon River and the Canoe the Cahaba boat launch. 

Using Environmental Protection Agency standards, counts of E. coli and other coliforms at six sites were found in 2014 to be in the “caution” or “unsafe” range on one or more occasions. One popular swimming site downriver consistently tested “unsafe” in 2014 and 2015. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) conducts minimal testing on the Cahaba, none at river recreation sites. 

“These levels of bacterial pollution pose a significant public health issue that we believe needs to be addressed,” says Peggy Gargis, board president. 

Easy-to-understand test results are reported each week by Cahaba Riverkeeper via its website, social and local media and the Waterkeeper Alliance’s Swim Guide, a free app for cell phone and computer. Citizens will also be able to select to receive special texts regarding the results.

In Alabama, no law or regulation ensures public notification of pollution to its waters, including wastewater treatment plant sewage spills. As a result of its testing, Cahaba Riverkeeper identified two illegal spills during the past two years that impacted public sites and was able to publish alerts.

Cahaba Riverkeeper is a nonprofit organization, open to membership from individuals, organizations and businesses, and is a member of the global Waterkeeper Alliance. Find out more at cahabariverkeeper.org, or find the organization on Facebook.

– Submitted by Myra Crawford.