Etowah County, Alabama: drinking water report. Etowah County in northeastern Alabama has a population of about 103,000, centered on Gadsden.
Etowah County in northeastern Alabama has a population of about 103,000, centered on Gadsden. The Coosa River serves as the primary water source, with the Gadsden Water Works treating and distributing water to the city and surrounding areas. The county's industrial history includes steel, rubber, and chemical manufacturing – sectors that left contamination signatures in soil and groundwater across the Gadsden area.
The former Goodyear tire plant and associated industrial operations in Gadsden produced waste streams containing heavy metals, solvents, and other industrial chemicals. According to the Alabama DEM's 2024 site remediation report, two active contamination cleanup sites in Etowah County involve chlorinated solvents in groundwater. The Coosa River's quality at the Gadsden intake is influenced by upstream releases from Lake Weiss and the accumulation of agricultural and urban runoff across the Coosa River basin.
The EPA's UCMR5 data shows PFAS detections at low levels in the Gadsden system. The former Gadsden Municipal Airport and nearby industrial operations are potential PFAS sources. A 2023 ADEM assessment documented disinfection byproduct levels in the Gadsden system that approached 70% of the MCL during the hottest months of summer.
Summer months produce the highest disinfection byproduct levels in Etowah County as warm river water increases the chemical demand of treatment. A carbon block filter at the kitchen tap reduces these compounds and improves taste.
Check your water for current results in your area. For industrial legacy contaminants and PFAS, reverse osmosis provides the broadest protection. Our water filter guide breaks down which filter types address which contaminant categories. Pull your detailed report for seasonal data, and visit our Alabama page for statewide context.