Groups Sue City Of Tuscaloosa Over Chronic Sewage Spills

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Black Warrior Riverkeeper and Friends of Hurricane Creek have joined a lawsuit against the city of Tuscaloosa for alleged violations of the Clean Water Act due to chronic sewage spills.

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The groups are represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) and claim that the city of Tuscaloosa allowed its sewer system to fall into disrepair, including broken sewers, leaking manholes and pump station failures.

Black Warrior Riverkeeper says that because of these failures, rainwater enters and overwhelms the system, creating sewage overflows — to the tune of nearly 42 million gallons of sewage being spilled since 2018.

“Tuscaloosa’s sewage spills have been happening for over two decades while we have been encouraging Tuscaloosa to clean up its act and properly notify communities,” Black Warrior Riverkeeper Nelson Brooke said. “It is unacceptable that the city has allowed raw sewage and industrial wastewater to pollute local streams and the river for years, which is disproportionately impacting Black and low-income communities in Tuscaloosa.”

Indeed, the nonprofit environmental advocacy group cited the city’s own reports, which show more than 350 illegal raw sewage overflows and more than 1,000 wastewater discharge permit violations in the past five years.

What's more, Black Warrior Riverkeeper says approximately 2 million gallons of raw sewage have been spilled in Cottondale Creek, Hurricane Creek, and Little Hurricane Creek since 2018, with many spills reportedly occurring along the main sewer line along the river.

“Families bringing their children to play and swim in Hurricane Creek Park had no clue they were exposing them to raw sewage,” Hurricane Creekkeeper John Wathen said. “The city’s ineptitude threatens the health and safety of Tuscaloosa communities who deserve peace of mind and trust that their water is clean.”

SELC was responsible for mapping each spill location and claims to have discovered a disproportionate amount of chronic sewage overflows in predominantly Black communities — insisting instead that this raises questions about the city’s priorities when it comes to patching its failing sewage system

In terms of water testing, Black Warrior Riverkeeper's research revealed that the city is discharging undisclosed pollutants, such as chloride, aluminum, barium, manganese, iron, and sodium. Separately, Hurricane Creekkeeper says it has observed sewage stations in disrepair, including metal corrosion from apparent hydrogen sulfide leaks.

The SELC notified Tuscaloosa leaders and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) of these numerous violations in a letter written in July.

The groups expressed that they intended to sue the city if sewage issues were not addressed and said Tuscaloosa city officials have ignored multiple attempts to schedule meetings.

“Tuscaloosa is clearly violating the law, and putting the health of the citizens of Tuscaloosa at risk,” SELC Senior Attorney Sarah Stokes said. “This isn’t the first time that Tuscaloosa has been sued for its sewage overflows. Our clients want to join in the state case and to convince Tuscaloosa to provide meaningful and permanent solutions this time.”

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