02-04-2025
PWSB crisis: Prichard seeks state and federal aid
PRICHARD, Ala. (WKRG) — The City of Prichard is seeking state and federal support to address its critical water infrastructure issues.
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'The City of Prichard is calling on federal and state agencies to provide immediate assistancein addressing long-standing issues with the Prichard Water and Sewer Board (PWSB), similar to the support provided to Flint, Mich.; Jackson, Miss.; and Baltimore, Md.,' Prichard Mayor Jimmie Gardner said in a statement released Wednesday.
In that statement, Gardner blamed 'decades of neglect, financial mismanagement, and infrastructure deterioration' for the current situation. He said it has 'placed an unfair burden on our residents, many of whom face persistent service disruptions, inflated billing, and concerns about water quality.'
The city is asking for emergency funding to repair and modernize the infrastructure to 'ensure equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all residents of Prichard.'
'Other cities facing similar crises have received substantial federal support, and Prichard deserves no less,' the release stated. 'Like Jackson, Miss., which secured nearly $800 million in federal and state funding, we call for a similar commitment to Prichard to ensure our residents receive safe, clean, and affordable water.'
Federally, the city is asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Justice to intervene and provide financial relief and infrastructure funding, including grants under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
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City officials are asking the Alabama State Legislature and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management to prioritize Prichard in state allocations for water infrastructure repair and oversight, and calling for an independent audit and oversight of the Prichard Water and Sewer Board to 'ensure financial accountability, prevent mismanagement and restore public trust.'
This story is developing. News 5 will update this article as more information becomes available.
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