During Monday’s Lanett Council meeting, resident Teresa Booker Woody addressed the council regarding her request for a partnership with the city to host a community health fair.
“Last year, we held the health fair at Cal’s Place, which is a business I own in the West Shawmut community of Lanett. We had an estimated attendance of around 60 people, and it was a fantastic event. We want to organize it again this year and are seeking to partner with the city. Last year, I funded it from my budget, but I believe we can improve it this time around.
This is a free health fair, and I’m not asking for financial support but rather for resources and assistance in promoting the event. I only ask for about two hours of the city’s time each week leading up to the fair, which will be held on either September 19th or 26th of this year.”
Mayor Heard thanked Woody and assured her that the matter would be discussed at a later date.
In other news from Lanett, the council approved a resolution authorizing Mayor Jamie Heard to execute an agreement with GMC to respond to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) concerning violations of water quality standards at the water treatment plant. Councilmember Krisse Story read the resolution.
“We authorize the mayor to execute documents related to proposals for the response regarding the City of Lanett’s wastewater treatment plant,” she stated.
One council member inquired about the nature of the violation. A representative addressed the question:
“ADEM sent a notice on April 2nd or 3rd regarding a violation tied to the wastewater treatment plant, dating back to 2024. The main concern is the annual toxicity testing that we have been required to perform. Unfortunately, for the past two years, the plant has failed the tests, totaling four failed tests after the initial one. We have been in contact with the mayor and ADEM to determine the source of the issue, and all evidence points to a specific industrial customer in our collection system,” said the Clearwater representative.
The council was encouraged by Clearwater to make a decision on the matter.
“The city has collected samples for testing both at the plant and from the industry, effectively narrowing it down to just that one business. The levels of certain metals being discharged by that company are over 20 times the legally allowed limit and have direct toxic effects on the organisms required for the tests,” the Clearwater representative added.
According to ADEM, any fines incurred will be the responsibility of the violating company.
“Are there any measures in place to prevent this from happening again?” asked another council member.
“Clearwater does not operate the city’s inspection system, so we lack the authority to take action against the industrial customer. All we can do is manage the situation once it reaches us at the plant. We do attempt to mitigate the issue, such as increasing our activated sludge return rate, but that’s about all we can do. The facility isn’t specifically designed to treat such high levels of metals,” the Clearwater representative explained.
Clearwater urged the city of Lanett to follow up with the industrial user.
Additionally, they noted that ADEM has the authority to fine the city for the metals released by the wastewater plant, but Clearwater has no direct control over that industry.
“How serious is this issue regarding toxicity?” a council member inquired.
“It’s fairly serious. I haven’t received reports of any negative effects on the Chattahoochee River directly, but if ADEM or the River Keepers were to test, it could lead to further complications for the city,” replied Clearwater.
“So this upcoming test will provide us with more insight into what actions we need to take?” asked a council member.
“What you are working on now is the approval of the engineering report that ADEM is requiring from the wastewater plant. The November report specifically calls for a toxicity identification study. We have already conducted tests through a lab, and their report indicates that the results point to one specific industry as the source of the issue. We believe that nothing at the plant itself is causing any problems, but as far as we can tell, nothing else should be affecting it,” Clearwater responded.
“How long have we been aware of this issue?” another council member asked Mayor Heard.
He replied, “The first indications were noted last year. The preliminary assumption, along with my predecessor, was that a particular wastewater stream was affecting the floor drain, which was then entering the collection system. The industry sent a letter asserting that they had fixed the problem. However, since we only conduct the test annually, we haven’t tested more frequently than required.”
