The document summarizes a research study investigating the connection between failing water infrastructure and public health in Alabama's Black Belt region. The study will collect water samples and surveys from 900 households across three counties served by small water systems. The samples will be tested for bacteria like E. coli to identify possible entry points of contamination and aid in improving drinking water quality for small, rural systems in the region.

1.  90% of septic systems in Alabama’s Black Belt
are failing 5
 Neglected systems cannot support daily use
 Liquids containing E. coli and
other harmful pathogens leach
into drain field
 Contaminates percolate through
soil into failing pipes delivering
drinking water
 Addition of nutrients to samples
facilitate E. coli growth
 Samples incubated for 24
hours in individual trays
 Positive total coliform wells
turn yellow
 Positive E. coli wells fluoresce under
UV light
 3 counties, 900 households total
 1 sample from inside water source
 1 flame-sterilized from outside spigot
 Survey conducted with each household
• pH, total and free chlorine levels,
water pressure, turbidity tested
• Health diary distributed to record
ailments over six months
Figure 4:
Research Focus Schematic
ABSTRACT
Small, rural water systems present the unique challenge of delivering safe, clean drinking water to a dispersed con-
sumer base. Small water infrastructure systems and septic systems in rural Alabama are deteriorating due to lack of
investment over the span of fifty years, increasing the total cost and need for maintenance annually. Decaying water
infrastructure exposes many consumers to pathogenic bacteria present in the soil surrounding drinking water pipelines.
Up until now, a thorough assessment of the connection between public health concerns and aging water infrastructure
has not been conducted in Alabama’s Black Belt, where a staggering number of consumers live below the poverty line.
This on-going study seeks to identify possible bacterial entry points in the systems investigated. The research staff will
collect water samples and informational surveys from a total of 900 households across three counties served by small-
to medium-sized water systems in the Black Belt. The samples are tested for total coliform including E. coli, a bacterial
indicator of pathogen presence. Ultimately, the data collected will aid small, rural water systems in the creation of cost-
effective protocol to improve drinking water quality.
 Comparison of sample DNA to
known animal DNA
 Chicken, cow, human DNA
RESEARCH TIMELINE
WATER INFRASTRUCTURE SUSTAINABILITY AND HEALTH
IN ALABAMA’S BLACK BELT
Principal Investigator: Pauline Johnson, Ph.D. Environmental Engineering ♦ Presenters: Bailie Clark & Gabrielle Hance ♦ University of Alabama ♦ Tuscaloosa, Alabama
E. coli
Figure 5: IDEXX
Sampling Kit
Figure 6: Wells containing
E. coli fluorescing
Figure 7: Positive E. coli
well plated and incubated
Figure 8: Isolated E. coli
colony incubated in slants
POSITIVE E. COLI
SAMPLE
METHODOLOGY
Figure 9: DNA
electrophoresis
Figure 1: Graph illustrating size and prevalence of water systems
against the number of consumers they serve
Figure 2: Alabama’s Black Belt (in blue)
Location of study in dark blue
8 of the 100 most im-
poverished counties in
the nation are located in
Alabama’s Black Belt 2
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Black persons High school
graduates (age
25+)
Bachelor's
degree or higher
(age 25+)
Persons below
poverty level
Comparisonof Socioeconomic VariablesBetween
Areas Studied and National Average
AVERAGE OF COUNTIES STUDIED
NATIONAL AVERAGE
National funding gap for
water infrastructure is es-
timated to reach up to
$229 billion in 20 years 3
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Figure 3: Comparison of Socioeconomic Variables Between
Areas Studied and National Average
Figure 10: Research project stagesCurrent “grade” of
America’s infrastructure
is a D 1
High water bills fall onto
vulnerable population
Failing septic systems
compromise environ-
mental and public
health
Samples immediately
transported from
households to lab in
IDEXX bottles
Samples are poured
into trays with
individual wells before
being incubated for 24
hours
Colonies in a positive E. coli
well are placed on agar
plates for 24 hour incubation
Individual E. coli colony
is transferred to a test
tube slant for 24 hour
incubation
DNA gel electrophoresis
determines origin of E. coli
sample
CONCLUSIONS
Failure to invest in aging water and waste
infrastructure will only increase the cost of
repair and risk to public health
This study will ultimately provide the
framework for areas with similar problems to
develop their own water safety protocol
This project seeks to provide safe drinking
water to all people regardless of socio-
economic disparities
REFERENCES
1. "2009 Grades." Report Card for America's Infrastructure. ASCE, 2009. Web. 25 July 2012.
2. United States. Cong. House. H.R. 4345, Alabama Black Belt National Heritage Area Act of 2009.
111th cong. 1st sess. 16 Dec. 2009. 25 July 2012.
3. United States. EPA. Office of Water. The Clean Water and Drinking Water Infrastructure Gap
Analysis. D.C., 2002. Web. 25 July 2012.
4. United States. Census Bureau. Quick Facts. United States Census 2010. Washington: US
Census Bureau, 7 June 2012. Web. 25 July 2012. http://www.census.gov
5. "Wastewater Management: Why?" Alabama Onsite Wastewater Association Training Center
(AOWATC). Web. 25 July 2012. http://aowatc.uwa.edu/
*Information from
2010 U.S. Census 4