A community in Vandiver, Alabama, is facing a major water crisis after an underground drilling project damaged an aquifer supplying private wells.
As reported by AL.com, the issue began when Alabama Power hired a drilling company, REM directional, to install fibre optic cables in Coosa Mountain, located in northern Shelby County.
During drilling, the aquifer was struck, causing water to gush from the site. Since then, several residents have been left without a water supply.
“They’re not sure it can be fixed, and that’s what scares us all,” said Tommy Fish, one of the affected residents.
Wells running dry
According to CBS 42, the first signs of trouble appeared in January when residents noticed their wells running dry. Peter Adkins, another resident, consulted a plumber but found no internal plumbing issues. He later visited the drilling site and was informed by a worker that they had observed an unusual amount of water flowing back during the process.
Currently, eight wells belonging to five homeowners are completely dry, while others are experiencing a significant drop in water levels. Many residents rely entirely on private wells as they are too far from municipal water connections.
Last week, a lawsuit was filed by three residents, including Fish, to halt the drilling. Shelby County Circuit court judge Patrick Kennedy initially issued a temporary restraining order.
However, as per AL.com, the judge later ruled that drilling must continue 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to complete the project as quickly as possible.
The court also instructed Alabama Power to provide daily status reports and assist affected residents by supplying water and other necessities.
Uncertain future for the Aquifer
Fish and other residents worry about the long-term impact on the aquifer and their homes. “As the water table continues to lower, it will affect more people,” he said.
Attorney Bruce Romeo, representing the affected homeowners, told WVTM 13 that there is no guarantee the aquifer can be restored. He also raised concerns that the depletion of the aquifer could lead to ground instability, which might affect housing structures.
“Losing the aquifer could destabilise the ground, which could in turn jeopardise people’s homes,” Fish warned.
Alabama Power stated that completing the project swiftly is the best course of action to assess and resolve the issue. “Upon completion, we can fully assess any impacted wells and promptly resolve the matter,” said spokesperson Alyson Tucker.
With another court hearing scheduled for 18 February, residents remain anxious about the future of their water supply.
