The city of Tuscaloosa has settled a state lawsuit filed two years ago over regular overflows from its sewage systems into local waterways.
As the Thread previously reported, in July 2023, the Southern Environmental Law Center sent notice to Mayor Walt Maddox and city staffers of their intent to sue the city on behalf of the Black Warrior Riverkeeper and Friends of Hurricane Creek.
These environmental nonprofits monitor their respective waterways for pollutants and bacteria and said that, over a five-year period, the city of Tuscaloosa was responsible for more than 41 million gallons of raw sewage escaping its infrastructure and contaminating the creek, river and other waterways.
That overflow data is self-reported by the city, and Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox defended their operations, saying just a fraction of a percent of the wastewater collected and treated by the city overflows from their systems.
Before the SELC and the water activists filed a lawsuit, though, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management did so first. That litigation has continued with the nonprofits as intervenors until this week, when the city and other involved parties signed a settlement agreement.
A BWR spokesperson said in the settlement, the city promises to reduce sewage spills, give better notice when they do occur and to fund about $18 million in upgrades to wastewater systems over the next 10 years.
They said the city has explicitly committed to replacing or upgrading the Fletcher Water Treatment Plant's UV system to protect against E. coli pollution, upgrading or replacing miles of the "Mercedes" sewage line and overhauling lift stations 39, 40, 41 and 42 to improve the flow over sewage flushed into city pipes.
"Tuscaloosa's commitments to reduce untreated sewage overflows and upgrade its wastewater treatment plant are necessary first steps toward achieving Clean Water Act permit compliance," said Nelson Brooke, Black Warrior Riverkeeper. "We will be monitoring Tuscaloosa's progress, and we're encouraged by the city's promise to properly notify the public when their sewage spills reach creeks, lakes, and the river."
John Wathen, the Hurricane Creekkeeper, also said the agreements made will protect that local treasure from further pollution.
"These upgrades are meaningful and will help safeguard Hurricane Creek's water quality," said John Wathen, Hurricane Creekkeeper. "I am grateful the city plans to take action and make improvements that will make the water safer for families that recreate in Hurricane Creek."
The SELC also celebrated the legal victory.
"This is truly a step in the right direction, and these upgrades will significantly improve Tuscaloosa's sewage system," said Sarah Stokes, a senior attorney in SELC's Alabama office. "This agreement shows the power of having clean water advocates at the table when ADEM and other regulators are making decisions."
The agreement, now signed, must be approved by the circuit court where the lawsuit is filed.
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