Alabama's Hidden Health Crisis: The Fight for Clean Water

In the heart of Alabama, a serious health issue has been quietly affecting residents for over two decades. Lowndes County, where over 70 percent of the population is Black and the median income is around $35, 000, has been struggling with a lack of proper sanitation. This problem has led to a resurgence of hookworm, a parasite that was once thought to be eradicated in the United States. The issue is so severe that one in three adults in the county has been infected with hookworm. The main cause of this health crisis is the failure of the water infrastructure. When it rains, contaminated water builds up around homes, and raw sewage can back up into toilets and other plumbing fixtures. This has forced residents to live in unsanitary conditions, with some even resorting to using straight piping to deal with human wastewater. This method involves guiding wastewater away from the home into a series of ditches and crude piping systems, which then collect in nearby yards, open areas, and woods. The Biden administration had allocated nearly $26 million to rebuild the county's water infrastructure, with the Department of Justice declaring the area was suffering from "environmental racism. " However, this effort was halted by a previous administration, which cited concerns over "diversity, equity, and inclusion" programs. This decision has left many residents frustrated and concerned about their health and safety. The environmental activist Catherine Coleman Flowers has been fighting for 23 years to fix the water infrastructure in Lowndes County. Her efforts led to the Biden administration's commitment, but the cancellation of the agreement did not surprise her. She has seen firsthand the challenges of getting this work done and the need for sustained effort and support. The Alabama Department of Public Health has received some funds from the Biden agreement and has used it to pay for a few septic tank installations. However, the burden to remedy this injustice falls largely on the state, and the progress has been slow. Some families have been able to afford to move away, but many cannot. For many residents, the connection to the land and their community is also a factor. They have deep roots in the area and do not want to leave their homes and culture behind. The fight for clean water in Lowndes County is ongoing. While some progress has been made, much more needs to be done to ensure that all residents have access to basic sanitation services. The health and well-being of the community depend on it. The situation in Lowndes County is a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges of environmental justice and the need for sustained effort and support to address these issues.