Alabama Senate To Consider Lake View Private Sewer Bill Wednesday

LAKE VIEW, AL — Residents of a small west Alabama town are hoping that this week will see a constitutional amendment clear a major hurdle on its way to providing much-needed oversight for the city's privately-owned sewer system.

As Patch previously reported, HB148 — if passed — offers up a constitutional amendment that would see a countywide vote on placing Tannehill Sewer System under the regulatory oversight of the Alabama Public Service Commission. The amendment has already moved through the House of Representatives, passing by unanimous decision in late February.

Lake View Mayor Adrain Dudley told Patch a public hearing for HB148 will be held during the Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee on Wednesday at 1 p.m.

He went on to say the Alabama Senate is likely to vote on the measure immediately following the hearing.

ALSO READ: A Sewer Lord's Tale: Lake View Residents Battle For Oversight

Organizers in support of the legislation are also asking fellow supporters to make the trip to Montgomery to attend the hearing, in addition to presenting a banner signed by residents who hope to see the bill pass.

This comes after the City Council unanimously approved a formal resolution in support of HB148, which is sponsored by Tuscaloosa Republican State Rep. Rich Wingo. With a new Council and mayor, the decision marked a sharp departure from past sentiments held by Lake View elected officials with respect to the private sewer system. Indeed, in an interesting contrast, the last Council passed a formal resolution in opposition to adding additional oversight to the private sewer system.

Most importantly, however, the proposed legislation is the culmination of a longstanding and contentious battle with J. Mike White — the owner of the private Tannehill Sewer System — over drastic rate increases and the lack of transparency with respect to its business practices

Split between Jefferson and Tuscaloosa counties, the city of 3,600 has employed the service of Tannehill Sewer System, in some form or another, as its lone waste treatment provider since Lake View was first incorporated in the late 1990s.

ALSO READ: Lake View United Against Private Sewer Owner's Business Practices

As the flat rate for sewer service has climbed in recent years for Lake View residents, private citizens have started to gain momentum in their push for answers and accountability.

White is also in the process of appealing a 2021 decision by a federal judge who ordered the business owner to pay $4.7 million in damages to three Lake View families who saw their runaway sewer bills climb to a cumulative total of $500,000.

The families have yet to receive the money as the legal battle moves through the appeal process, but pressure from the community has indeed been mounting, as seen in the letters to policymakers, public outcry and on-the-record interviews with angry residents.

The primary hurdle for the private sewer amendment, though, will now be in the Alabama Senate, where State Sen. Gerald Allen is expected to rally support in opposition. The Tuscaloosa Republican and longtime legislator has been the main roadblock for the measure in its past incarnations and seems poised to do so again this legislative session, especially after his measure to expand the city limits of Lake View died in committee in February.

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