Tuscaloosa Reaches Agreement In Lawsuit Over Wastewater Treatment, Collection

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The City of Tuscaloosa has reached a consent decree agreement with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) and the state of Alabama, resolving environmental litigation filed in 2023 regarding the city's wastewater treatment and collection systems.

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Black Warrior Riverkeeper and Friends of Hurricane Creek were also parties to the original lawsuit.

The agreement was approved Tuesday night by the Tuscaloosa City Council.

"Tuscaloosa's commitments to reduce untreated sewage overflows and upgrade its wastewater treatment plant are necessary first steps toward achieving Clean Water Act permit compliance," Black Warrior Riverkeeper Nelson Brooke said in a statement on Wednesday. "We will be monitoring Tuscaloosa's progress, and we’re encouraged by the city’s promise to properly notify the public when their sewage spills reach creeks, lakes, and the river."

Under the terms of the consent decree, the city will hire an independent engineering firm to conduct a full evaluation of its wastewater treatment and collection systems.

This assessment provided by the outside firm will then guide the creation of a comprehensive compliance plan, which must be completed within 270 days and fully implemented within six years after the plan is accepted.

"These upgrades are meaningful and will help safeguard Hurricane Creek’s water quality," Hurricane Creekkeeper John Wathen said. "I am grateful the city plans to take action and make improvements that will make the water safer for families that recreate in Hurricane Creek."

City officials also said the agreement formalizes work already underway to modernize Tuscaloosa’s wastewater infrastructure.

As part of the deal, the city committed to completing four major capital projects already included in its 10-year capital plan and previously approved by the Tuscaloosa City Council.

The aforementioned projects include installing a new UV treatment system at the Hilliard R. Fletcher Water Resource Recovery Facility, replacing air release valves at Lift Station 42, upgrading Lift Stations 39, 40 and 41, and rehabilitating the force-main line that runs from the Mercedes-Benz plant in Vance to East Tuscaloosa.

City officials also said two of the four projects are already funded and in progress, while design work for others is scheduled to begin in 2026.

Despite the extensive litigation, Tuscaloosa officials said the agreement underscores long-term efforts to strengthen the city’s water and sewer system, with the city investing more than $300 million in upgrades over the past decade.

To that end, the city reported treating 32 billion gallons of sewage, with 99.9% processed successfully between 2017 and 2023.

The city also reported a significant reduction in sanitary sewer overflows.

Thus far in 2025, Tuscaloosa has recorded 28 overflows — a 65% decrease from the 81 reported in 2017.

"This is truly a step in the right direction, and these upgrades will significantly improve Tuscaloosa’s sewage system," said Sarah Stokes, a senior attorney in the Southern Environmental Law Center'sAlabama office. "This agreement shows the power of having clean water advocates at the table when ADEM and other regulators are making decisions."

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