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Coosa Riverkeeper briefs commission on PFAS, weekly water testing and local recreation impacts
Summary
Richard Ripken of the Coosa Riverkeeper presented the group's ongoing water testing in Saint Clair County, warned about PFAS contamination risks tied to runoff, summarized swim‑alert results posted weekly, and highlighted recent river events that drew tourism to the county.
Richard Ripken, a representative of the Coosa Riverkeeper, told the Saint Clair County Commission the group is conducting weekly water testing at multiple sites in Newby, H.?, and Logan Martin lakes and posting swim alerts each Friday on its website and Facebook Live.
"PFAS... a forever chemical that... does not break down naturally," Ripken said, describing the chemical’s persistence and the costs of filtering it from source water. He noted that heavy rainfall and agricultural runoff have produced a number of "red" swim alerts during recent testing cycles and that PFAS and runoff are ongoing concerns for the Coosa Valley Water Supply.
Ripken also invited elected officials to a documentary screening at the Pitman Theater in Gadsden addressing PFAS origins in the carpet industry and its broader public‑health implications. He reported the Coosa River Ramble paddle and kayak race drew more than 100 spectators and 55 racers, noting the event's benefit to local tourism and recreation.
Commissioners thanked Ripken and the Riverkeeper volunteers for their monitoring work and noted the county holds a permit to withdraw source water from the Coosa; commissioners asked staff to stay informed about water quality developments and potential treatment costs tied to PFAS removal.
