Coal Ash 101: Protecting Alabama's Water, Wildlife, and Communities
LaDonna Gaines | October 7, 2026
Most people don't think about what happens to the waste left behind after coal is burned to produce electricity. Yet for many Alabama communities, that waste, known as coal ash, can have lasting impacts on drinking water, wildlife, and public health. Understanding what coal ash is, where it is stored, and why it matters can help you make informed decisions for yourself, your family, and your community.
What is Coal Ash?
Coal ash is the waste left behind after coal is burned to produce electricity at coal-fired power plants. Coal ash typically contains several harmful substances such as arsenic, mercury, lead, and many others. There are several types of coal ash, including fly ash, bottom ash, boiler slag, and flue-gas desulfurization products. Of these, fly ash is the most common and the one we will discuss here. Fly ash is a fine, powder-like material made primarily of silica and other minerals that becomes airborne as coal burns.
Why Coal Ash Is a Health Concern?
It’s already been mentioned, but it’s important to go into more detail here on why coal ash is so concerning. It contains several heavy metals. Many heavy metals have important industrial and manufacturing uses; however, exposure to elevated levels can pose serious health risks. People may be exposed by drinking contaminated water, breathing contaminated dust, or, less commonly, through contact with contaminated soil. Most of us know that lead can be extremely harmful, especially to children due to their developing brains. What many people may not realize is exactly how lead affects the body. Lead exposure can damage a child’s developing brain and nervous system. Even low levels of lead in the blood have been associated with lower IQ, difficulty paying attention, learning and behavioral problems, and poorer academic performance.
You also may be curious about the health effects of some of the other metals. For instance, mercury can cause lung injury, kidney issues, and seizures depending on the route of exposure and form of mercury. Arsenic can cause cancer when there is a prolonged exposure. In high-level acute exposures, you can see nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and shortness of breath to name a few. Coal ash contains many other contaminants and heavy metals beyond those discussed here. Here is a great resource if you want to know more about what other heavy metals and contaminants that are in coal ash.
Environmental Impacts
Historically, coal ash has been dumped into ponds with no lining, unlined landfills, and mines. For context, the ponds mentioned here are human-made and used specifically to hold the coal ash mixed with water. The concern is that contaminants can leach into groundwater, rivers, lakes, and wetlands over time. When it gets into the groundwater, it can contaminate drinking water.
It can affect any of the wildlife (including fish, birds, and amphibians) living in those areas. Here’s a historical example from 1967. A coal ash dam broke and released a sludge into the Clinch River in Virginia. It caused the deaths of over 200,000 fish and contaminated many more animals for many miles downriver. Contamination of fish and other wildlife may also create potential exposure concerns for people who rely on those resources for food. Anything that directly affects the environment will eventually affect us. Environmental health and human health are deeply connected.
Why Climate Change Makes Coal Ash More Concerning?
Climate change may increase some of the risks associated with coal ash storage. As Alabama experiences heavier rainfall, stronger storms, flooding, and hurricanes, coal ash storage ponds face greater pressure. The increased amount of water that goes into the ponds puts a strain on the dams and increases the likelihood of dam failures, like we saw in the example in the last section and one more example to come. In other examples, there is just the sheer amount of water that can cause the coal ash to overflow, even without the dam breaking.
Coal Ash Containment and Clean Up Options
There are two common disposal approaches, cap-in-place and complete removal (“clean closure”). With cap-in-place, coal ash is drained from surface water and the pond is capped, meaning it is covered with a liner and soil. With removal, the ash is moved to a landfill that is lined. The lined landfills are compliant with the law. There is also the idea of repurposing the coal ash into items such as concrete and drywall, when applicable based on safety standards.
Environmental groups and advocates often favor "clean closure" because removal to these lined landfills usually helps to reduce the source of groundwater contamination and limits the likelihood of spills due to flooding or other weather-related concerns. Utilities may favor cap-in-place because it is easier and less expensive. What is ultimately decided on often depends on the specific site conditions. Repurposing is also more widely accepted.
Quick Facts About Coal Ash
Coal ash is the waste left after burning coal.
It can contain metals such as arsenic, mercury, and lead.
Improper storage can threaten groundwater and waterways.
How You Can Take Action
Learn whether coal ash sites exist near you.
Attend public meetings.
Participate in public comment opportunities.
Stay informed about cleanup decisions.
Coal Ash in Alabama
Coal ash disposal sites are located throughout Alabama, many of them next to rivers. This is mainly because coal-fired power plants require large amounts of water for cooling. Unfortunately, storing coal ash near waterways increases the potential for contaminants to reach groundwater and rivers if storage systems fail or leak.
You may remember a big event with coal ash back in 2008 in Tennessee. A dam broke where coal ash was being stored and millions of tons of the coal ash was sent into the neighboring area. The coal ash ruined several homes and the estimated cost of the cleanup was in the billions. Years later, many cleanup workers reported serious illnesses, and families have connected numerous worker deaths to exposure experienced during the cleanup. The dam broke following significant rainfall in the area, approximately 5.5 inches of rain; however, rainfall alone was not the only factor involved. It remains one of the most devastating environmental tragedies in the United States. This event is mentioned to show the gravity of the problem. In certain parts of Alabama, we are prone to flooding and hurricanes. This is something that could easily happen here, especially with the increased rainfall we are seeing.
What Regulations Are in Place?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created the Coal Combustion Residuals Rule (“CCR”). This rule states that there is required groundwater monitoring and safer disposal of coal ash.
On July 13, 2026, the EPA proposed approving Alabama’s application to administer a partial CCR permit program through the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. The proposal is not yet a final approval. EPA is accepting public comments through September 14, 2026, before making a final determination. For those interested in making a public comment, visit this website for more information.
How Can I Find Coal Ash Sites Near Me?
You may be wondering, how do I know if this is an immediate concern for me and my family or community. To find out more information about your specific area, visit AlabamaCoalAsh.org to view an interactive map of coal ash disposal sites. You can also find out whether your drinking water comes from a public water system or a private well. This is important because private wells are not regulated in the same way as public drinking-water systems. Those who use private wells near a coal ash site can contact their county health department, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), or a qualified environmental laboratory to ask which contaminants should be tested and how samples should be collected. Public water systems are routinely monitored and treated if necessary to meet safe drinking rules. Make sure you are up to date on and monitor cleanup plans and public meetings in your community.
Protecting Alabama's Communities and Natural Resources
The goal of this article was to provide information about coal ash in Alabama and highlight why appropriate management, cleanup, and monitoring are essential for protecting our communities. We all have a role to play as residents, families, professionals, and community members to advocate for better. Not only for those of us here today, but for those who will be here tomorrow. We want a healthy environment that we can enjoy and thrive in. We don’t want to have to be concerned that our drinking water, which is essential, is contaminated with toxic pollutants. Some things that you can do today are contact elected officials, contact the ADEM, contact the EPA, environmental organizations, and/or comment during public comment periods on environmental regulations. Every Alabamian deserves clean drinking water, healthy communities, and a safe environment. Staying informed, participating in public comment opportunities, and supporting organizations working to protect Alabama's natural resources are meaningful ways each of us can help build a healthier future.
Sources
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). (2007). Toxicological profile for arsenic (Update). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). (2024). Toxicological profile for mercury. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp46.pdf
Alabama Coal Ash Coalition. Coal ash in Alabama. https://alabamacoalash.org/
Alabama Coal Ash Coalition. The law. https://alabamacoalash.org/the-law
Earthjustice. Coal ash closure and cleanup. https://earthjustice.org/feature/coal-ash-closure-cleanup
Earthjustice. Coal ash contaminates our lives. https://earthjustice.org/feature/coal-ash-contaminates-our-lives
Earthjustice. Coal ash addendum. https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/coal_ash_addendum_new_final_email.pdf
Natural Resources Defense Council. Coal ash: Hazardous coal ash waste? According to the EPA, coal ash is not hazardous waste. https://www.nrdc.org/stories/coal-ash-hazardous-coal-ash-waste-according-epa-coal-ash-not-hazardous-waste
Physicians for Social Responsibility. Coal ash: Hazardous to human health. https://psr.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/coal-ash-hazardous-to-human-health.pdf
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Southeast Coal Ash. Environmental impacts on wildlife. http://www.southeastcoalash.org/about-coal-ash/environmental-impacts/impact-wildlife/
Tyler, C. R., & Allan, A. M. (2014). The effects of arsenic exposure on neurological and cognitive dysfunction in human and rodent studies: A review. Current Environmental Health Reports, 1(2), 132–147. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-014-0012-1
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Coal combustion residuals (CCR) basics. https://www.epa.gov/coal-combustion-residuals/coal-combustion-residuals-ccr-basics
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Alabama Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) permit program. July 14, 2026. https://www.epa.gov/coal-combustion-residuals/us-state-alabama-coal-combustion-residuals-permit-program
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2008). Kingston Fossil Plant Coal Ash Release. https://www.epa.gov/tn/kingston-fossil-plant-coal-ash-release
LaDonna Gaines is an environmental health nurse, writer, and host of The Environmentalist Nurse Podcast. Her work focuses on helping communities understand how protecting our environment also protects public health through education, advocacy, and evidence-based communication.
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