Many rural homes in Alabama’s Black Belt don’t have access to public sewer systems and rely on septic tanks to manage wastewater. However, the soil in this region becomes hard and waterlogged when it rains, making these septic systems fail. When that happens, people often have no choice but to let raw sewage flow directly into nearby areas, which can lead to serious contamination. During dry periods, this waste builds up on the ground. Then, when it rains heavily, the waste and harmful bacteria can wash into creeks and streams. In this study, we collected water samples for two years from Big Prairie Creek in Newbern, Alabama, to see how much bacteria entered the water after rainstorms—especially after long dry spells. We found that bacteria levels were likely higher when a heavy rain followed a dry period. This research helps us understand how poor sanitation and weather patterns can affect water quality in rural communities.