Speaker: Cody Aloi, Mobile Bay National Estuary Program
Date: October 16, 2025
This morning’s meeting featured an extraordinary presentation by Cody Aloi, who shared insights into a groundbreaking environmental project that blends cutting-edge science with specialized canine training to protect our local waterways. Cody brings an extensive background as a seasoned combat veteran and canine handler, having served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Africa, and later as a Department of State contractor. His unique expertise has become an asset in an innovative environmental initiative right here on the Gulf Coast.
A New Approach to Environmental Protection
For the past two years, Cody and his team at the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program have been working to develop a faster, more efficient method for detecting sewage contamination in local waterways. Traditional testing methods are time-consuming and expensive—often costing hundreds of thousands of dollars for small studies. By contrast, trained dogs are able to identify the presence of human sewage with exceptional accuracy and speed, drastically reducing both time and cost.
Why Dogs? The Science Behind the Noses
Dogs possess approximately 300 million olfactory receptors, making their sense of smell up to a billion times more sensitive than current laboratory tests. Through rigorous training, these specialized canines can detect trace levels of sewage, providing a powerful screening tool for environmental scientists. In controlled studies, the program’s canine team achieved 99.6% accuracy, outperforming conventional testing methods.
From the Battlefield to the Bay
Cody emphasized that these dogs are not ordinary obedience or pet-training animals. Their training stems from military and law enforcement protocols—methods that were once used to detect explosives and narcotics in high-risk combat zones. This level of precision and reliability is now being applied to environmental stewardship, offering a novel solution to a long-standing public health and infrastructure challenge.
Operational Success in Baldwin County
The program has already begun field operations in Fly Creek, Peterson Branch, and parts of the West Fowl River, areas that are critical for oyster farming and public recreation. Early tests have shown promising results, with the dogs successfully identifying contamination sources under real-world conditions. The initiative has garnered support and collaboration from organizations such as EPA, FDA, and local utilities, underscoring its potential for regional and national impact.
Looking Ahead
The ultimate vision is to equip wastewater treatment facilities, municipalities, and government agencies with this innovative detection tool—empowering them to identify problems early, protect public health, and safeguard the natural resources that define our community. As Cody noted, no one wants to swim, fish, or drink in contaminated water; this program offers a proactive, science-backed way to address the issue before it escalates.
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