To: Jimmy Junkin, Director, Tuscaloosa Water & Sewage Department, Walter Maddox, Mayor, City of Tuscaloosa, and Eddie Pugh, Chairman, Public Safety Committee, Tuscaloosa City Council
Physical markers to designate sewage outflow areas
The fact that sewage outflows are not required to be marked within the city poses a threat to public health and recreational activities. Discharge points need to be marked for public health and safety.
Why is this important?
The Kudzu Coalition of West Alabama requests that the City of Tuscaloosa:
1. Physically post warning signs at all downstream affected public use and access areas including parks, boat launches, fishing piers, bridges, and trails
2. Post warnings within 12 hours of sewage spills on the City of Tuscaloosa’s website and social media sites stating the location of spill on map and the approximate time of spill. In addition, we would like to know if the spill is ongoing or has it stopped, size of spill, were there industrial chemicals from local industries, and which receiving streams were affected. After the spill, did water testing occur? If so, please post the results.
3. Publicly advertise and maintain an opt-in process that allows interested persons to obtain public notification of SSOs via email, text message, and/or automated phone call.
Discharge points are located along numerous streams throughout Tuscaloosa County. Notices should be posted where sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) have been identified and on every waterway leading away from spill sites (For details on a recent spill, see Sewage spill in Tuscaloosa".)
Given the number of accidental sewage spills over the past year, proper warning of potential discharge is necessary to protect children, small animals, and residents. Regular discharges, as well as spills, need to be clearly indicated at all times.
We are grateful to City of Tuscaloosa staff as well as local legislators, councilors, and other stakeholders for addressing this much-needed issue. Water is beautiful. Playing in sewage effluent is not.
1. Physically post warning signs at all downstream affected public use and access areas including parks, boat launches, fishing piers, bridges, and trails
2. Post warnings within 12 hours of sewage spills on the City of Tuscaloosa’s website and social media sites stating the location of spill on map and the approximate time of spill. In addition, we would like to know if the spill is ongoing or has it stopped, size of spill, were there industrial chemicals from local industries, and which receiving streams were affected. After the spill, did water testing occur? If so, please post the results.
3. Publicly advertise and maintain an opt-in process that allows interested persons to obtain public notification of SSOs via email, text message, and/or automated phone call.
Discharge points are located along numerous streams throughout Tuscaloosa County. Notices should be posted where sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) have been identified and on every waterway leading away from spill sites (For details on a recent spill, see Sewage spill in Tuscaloosa".)
Given the number of accidental sewage spills over the past year, proper warning of potential discharge is necessary to protect children, small animals, and residents. Regular discharges, as well as spills, need to be clearly indicated at all times.
We are grateful to City of Tuscaloosa staff as well as local legislators, councilors, and other stakeholders for addressing this much-needed issue. Water is beautiful. Playing in sewage effluent is not.