Tell ADEM to Hold Walter Energy Accountable

Tuscaloosa's drinking water is threatened by a coal slurry spill into a tributary of Alabama's North River -- which flows into Lake Tuscaloosa.
The spill dumped an unknown quantity of coal slurry - a byproduct of burning coal that typically contains toxic heavy metals - from a mine owned by Florida-based Walter Energy on July 15th.
While Walter Energy claimed that the slurry was non-toxic, tests of the water said otherwise -- showing high levels of arsenic and lead.¹
As this slurry pollutes the North River and flows into Lake Tuscaloosa -- which provides drinking water for thousands, it's essential that the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) holds Walter Energy accountable for this mess.
Tell the Alabama Department of Environmental Management: Make Walter Energy fully clean up the North River.
Currently, ADEM says Lake Tuscaloosa is unaffected and remains a safe source of drinking water. But there is no guarantee that it stays that way as the coal slurry continues to flow downstream.
According to Nelson Brooke of Black Warrior Riverkeeper, "It's not really a matter of if this is going to reach the lake, but when."²
It may be months before the environmental impacts and public health threats of this coal slurry spill are fully understood. In the time being, we can't let ADEM drag their feet on holding Walter Energy accountable and making them take immediate steps to clean up the North River.
Tell the Alabama Department of Environmental Management: Make Walter Energy fully clean up the North River.
1. First results in on coal slurry spill into river, CBS 42, July 24, 2011
2. Coal mine spill may impact Tuscaloosa water supply , CBS 42, July 18, 2011