For Immediate Release, January 23, 2026
Contact:
Justinn Overton, Coosa Riverkeeper, 205-288-7112
Hannah Connor, Center for Biological Diversity, 202-681-1676
Annie Beaman, Our Children’s Earth Foundation, 510-910-4535
Legal Agreement Resolves Clean Water Act Enforcement Case Against Alabama Wastewater-Treatment Plant
Directs Funds for Endangered Species Conservation to Alabama Aquatic Biodiversity Center
GADSDEN, Ala.— Conservation groups, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, and the Gadsden Water Works and Sewer Board have resolved a lawsuit for alleged unpermitted discharges of pollutants and violations of permit terms related to the City of Gadsden’s wastewater-treatment plant and sewer system that enter Neely Henry Lake on the Coosa River and some of its tributaries.
The groups are Coosa Riverkeeper, Advance Etowah, the Center for Biological Diversity, and Our Children’s Earth Foundation.
As part of the agreement, the parties involved in the lawsuit released the following joint statement:
Without admitting liability and in its continuing efforts to provide outstanding service to its customers, GWWSB has agreed to extensive repairs to, more frequent inspections of, and increased maintenance for its sewer system.
GWWSB will also undertake additional engineering analysis to prevent sewage overflow to the extent reasonably feasible. GWWSB has also agreed to pay a civil penalty to the ADEM, pay litigation expenses, and enact a process that is intended to assist eligible residents who are GWWSB customers pay for any necessary repairs to their private lateral sewer pipes that connect their homes to the GWWSB sewer system even though the private laterals are not otherwise the responsibility of GWWSB.
GWWSB has also agreed to provide one-time funding to the Alabama Aquatic Biodiversity Center, which is run by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The Alabama Aquatic Biodiversity Center breeds and protects endangered fish and shellfish, including some species that reside in the Coosa River, which, as the source water for GWWSB is important to everyone in the area.
This settlement also resolves a separate federal lawsuit brought by the conservation groups.
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About Coosa Riverkeeper: Coosa Riverkeeper is a citizen-based river conservation non-profit organization whose mission is to protect, restore and promote the Coosa River and its tributaries in Alabama. We patrol the waters, educate the public, and advocate for the river. Learn more about our work by visiting CoosaRiver.org.
About Center for Biological Diversity: The Center for Biological Diversity is a nonprofit membership organization known for its work protecting endangered species through legal action, scientific petitions, creative media and grassroots activism. Learn more about their work at BiologicalDiversity.org.
About Advance Etowah: Advance Etowah is working for the citizens of Etowah County for a better future. Learn more about their work at AdvanceEtowah.org.
About Our Children’s Earth: Our Children’s Earth Foundation advocates on behalf of children, who are most vulnerable to pollution, to enable them to breathe clean air and use clean water. Learn more about their work at OCEFoundation.org.
What’s Next?
Coosa Riverkeeper will be releasing more information about the impact this settlement has on the community, as well as hosting townhall meetings for Gadsden residents to help explain what this means for their community.
Be sure to sign up for our email list and follow us on social media to get the dates when they are announced.
