Contaminated Water in Northeast Alabama

Contaminated Water in Northeast Alabama

By Marla Jones, Managing Editor with contributions by Dylan Smith, Reporter (Photo by Marla Jones)

IDER, Ala. — Following two letters sent to affected residents, officials at the DeKalb-Jackson Water Supply District are monitoring drinking water conditions after reporting violations of drinking water standards.

The letters suggest several major concerns for citizens who depend on DeKalb-Jackson Water Supply District for their water and natural gas needs.

When asked for comment regarding water contamination, an official with the DeKalb-Jackson Water Supply District stated that their water supply would be retested on Tuesday, November 26th. 

The letter to affected residents can be found here:

After Monday’s board meeting, which was the first full meeting in four months, the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, as well as local law enforcement, were called by the board members. The members stated that the citizens were trespassing after the meeting was adjourned. 

“I think it’s awful that we’ve come to this point [and] that our water has gotten into this situation,” said Jackson County Commission Chairman Tim Guffey.

There is a pending lawsuit that addresses the new appointments and removal of two Board members. Currently, the Board is made up of four members appointed by the Jackson County Commission and three appointed by the DeKalb County Commission, however, one DeKalb County seat remains vacant. Southern Torch was unable to obtain a copy of the lawsuit prior to publication of this story.

According to Guffey, board members are paid $75 per month. “I feel confident that the new Board members that we appointed can fix the problem if they are allowed to,” said Guffey. 

According to Guffey, the current members of the Board include: Greg Harris and William Dalton of DeKalb County, with Clinton Hill, Dois Holman, Johnny McAllister and Frankie Yates serving as Jackson County’s members. 

Two former members of the Board, who were appointed by the Jackson County Commission, have sued to remain on the Board. The ousted members continue to attend the board meetings along with the new members.

Southern Torch will continue to investigate this developing story and will update the story as more information becomes available.

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