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Alabama residents endure lack of public water access for over a decade
In rural Marion County, Alabama, hundreds of households, including the McClungs, have been waiting for public water access for over a decade, relying on private wells to meet their daily needs.
In short:
- Around 40% of households in Marion County lack public drinking water, depending instead on private wells.
- The McClung family and their neighbors have been promised public water access for years, but it remains unfulfilled.
- Socioeconomic and racial disparities exacerbate water access issues across Alabama.
Key quote:
“Less than a year after one of the worst droughts in the history of our state, the Governor’s decision to put the brakes on an already overdue and lengthy process sets all of Alabama back in the progress that’s been made to date.”
— Sarah Stokes, an attorney for the Southern Environmental Law Center
Why this matters:
Lack of access to public water in rural Alabama highlights significant infrastructural gaps and socioeconomic disparities. Well water quality can be unpredictable, often subject to contamination from agricultural runoff, industrial activities, and natural mineral deposits. This poses significant health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly. As climate change increases drought risks, reliable water access becomes even more critical.
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In a small French town where Houston-based LyondellBasell is a fixture, residents complain of unending pollution
Residents on the east side of Harris County, Texas, share a troubling connection with Berre-l’Étang in southern France: exposure to toxic chemicals from LyondellBasell, a major petrochemical company. Nazmul Ahasan reports for Grist.
In a nutshell:
Activists in both countries complain that regulators prioritize the economic well-being of polluting industries over the environment and public health. In Berre-l’Étang, flares from LyondellBasell's industrial complex caused thick clouds of toxic smoke, affecting nearby Marseille. Meanwhile, in Harris County, Texas, chemical releases led to injuries and prompted concerns among residents. Despite activism and lawsuits, the company's impact on these communities remains a pressing issue, revealing a troubling intersection of industrial interests and public health.
Key quote:
“Basically, the judge blamed residents for pollution by saying, ‘You had it coming,’” said Algrain, a climate activist who grew up in Berre-l’Étang. “Others are saying if you’re not happy with the way you’re living or the living conditions, you can just leave.”
The big picture:
Living near a petrochemical plant can expose residents to a range of potential health hazards. These include an increased risk of respiratory issues due to the release of pollutants like sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, which can irritate the airways and lead to breathing difficulties. Prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals such as benzene and 1,3-butadiene, common emissions from petrochemical facilities, may elevate the risk of cancer. Carbon monoxide releases can cause symptoms like headaches and nausea, and long-term exposure may lead to chronic health problems. Residing in close proximity to such plants raises concerns about public health and underscores the need for stringent environmental regulations and safety measures.
Read the article at Grist.
Meet Cami Ferrell, EHN's new reporter focusing on petrochemical pollution in Texas.
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Newsletter
Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash
How solar farms took over the California desert: ‘An oasis has become a dead sea’
Residents feel trapped and choked by dust, while experts warn environmental damage is ‘solving one problem by creating others.'
www.propublica.org
Even Louisiana’s wealthier neighborhoods can't escape toxic air in "Cancer Alley"
Industrial development usually targets poor communities, but Ascension Parish is one of the richest, and most toxic, places in Louisiana. Some residents say the financial benefits of living there outweigh the risks.
Newsletter
www.propublica.org
Fracking companies lost on trespassing, but a court just gave them a different win
As conflicts continue between West Virginians and the state’s natural gas industry, complex legal cases are helping some residents, but not others.
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