On Tuesday, Feb. 11, Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-7) and Sen. Doug Jones introduced the Decentralized Wastewater Grant Act of 2020, a bill that aims to increase funding for improvements to wastewater systems for rural communities.
Doug Jones commented in an announcement that, in addition to others throughout the country, the bill will benefit people in the Black Belt region, which includes Dallas County.
“In rural communities across the country, including Alabama’s historically underserved Black Belt region, some families lack access to even basic wastewater systems,” he said. “This is a critical public health and safety issue, and we need an all hands on deck approach to solve this crisis.”
The bill that was introduced in the House and Senate would establish a grant program under the Environmental Protection agency to help communities “connect their homes to existing wastewater infrastructure or install or upgrade individually owned decentralized wastewater systems.”
According to Sewell’s announcement, the bill would provide grants to non-profit organizations that would in turn provide sub-grants to those deemed eligible for improvements to their wastewater infrastructure.
“Clean water and adequate wastewater infrastructure are basic human rights that shouldn’t be restricted to only those who can afford them,” Sewell said. “In Alabama and many rural areas across the country, failing septic tanks and inadequate, unsafe wastewater infrastructure are far too common and pose health, economic and environmental risks to our communities.”
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...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM CST MONDAY...
...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM MONDAY TO 9 AM
CST TUESDAY...
* WHAT...For the first Cold Weather Advisory, very cold wind chills
as low as 2 above expected. For the second Cold Weather Advisory,
very cold temperatures as low as 8 above expected.
* WHERE...A portion of central Alabama.
* WHEN...For the first Cold Weather Advisory, until 10 AM CST
Monday. For the second Cold Weather Advisory, from 9 PM Monday to
9 AM CST Tuesday.
* IMPACTS...Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin
is exposed to these temperatures. An extended period of
subfreezing temperatures could cause pipes to burst.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a
hat, and gloves.
Keep pets indoors as much as possible.
Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure
portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills
inside.
To prevent freezing and possible bursting of pipes they should be
wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly.
&&
...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM CST MONDAY...
...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM MONDAY TO 9 AM
CST TUESDAY...
* WHAT...For the first Cold Weather Advisory, very cold wind chills
as low as 2 above expected. For the second Cold Weather Advisory,
very cold temperatures as low as 8 above expected.
* WHERE...A portion of central Alabama.
* WHEN...For the first Cold Weather Advisory, until 10 AM CST
Monday. For the second Cold Weather Advisory, from 9 PM Monday to
9 AM CST Tuesday.
* IMPACTS...Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin
is exposed to these temperatures. An extended period of
subfreezing temperatures could cause pipes to burst.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a
hat, and gloves.
Keep pets indoors as much as possible.
Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure
portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills
inside.
To prevent freezing and possible bursting of pipes they should be
wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly.
&&
Temperatures will fall below freezing tonight across all of
Central Alabama with residual moisture on local roadways. This will
lead to the possibility of hazardous travel in some areas. Black
ice may create slick spots on some local roads...bridges and
overpasses. Please use extra caution if you have to travel.
Currently in Selma
32°
Cloudy
63° / 32°
11 PM
32°
12 AM
30°
1 AM
29°
2 AM
27°
3 AM
27°
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
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Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
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Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.