For over a decade, residents of Lowndes County, Alabama, have been forced to live in conditions unimaginable to many Americans: raw sewage backing up into their homes, contaminated water pooling in yards, and an ongoing public health crisis. The issue has grown so severe that in 2017, a study found that one in three adults in the county had contracted the intestinal parasite hookworm, once thought eradicated in the U.S.
In response to these dire conditions, the Biden administration had allocated nearly $26 million in federal funds to help rebuild the water infrastructure in the majority-Black, low-income community. The program aimed to end the legacy of “environmental racism” that has left Lowndes County without proper sewage systems for generations.
However, earlier this month, President Donald Trump issued an executive order halting the program, declaring it to be “illegal DEI” (diversity, equity, and inclusion). The Justice Department, under Trump’s leadership, further distanced itself from efforts to address the county’s crisis, with Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon explaining that the department would no longer push “environmental justice” initiatives through a “distorted, DEI lens.”
The move came after a 2023 investigation, sparked by environmental activist Catherine Coleman Flowers, revealed that the county’s residents, predominantly Black, had endured inadequate sanitation services for decades. Many had resorted to “straight piping,” a dangerous practice where human waste is diverted into ditches or makeshift pipes, leading to contamination of local water sources.
For years, activists like Flowers have fought for justice in Lowndes County. Flowers, who grew up in the area, emphasized that the community’s longstanding connection to the land makes it difficult for many to leave, even if they could afford to. “My family has been in Lowndes County since slavery,” Flowers said. “It’s home for people. Why would we want to move? That’s where our people are buried.”
Despite these deep roots, many families are still struggling with the daily reality of living without safe water or reliable sanitation systems. Annye Burke, a resident of Lowndes County, described how contaminated water pools around her home after every rainfall and how her septic tank regularly breaks down, causing raw sewage to back up into her toilet.
Burke, along with over 300 other families in the region, hoped that the federal program would finally address the health hazards they’ve faced for years. Yet, with Trump’s decision to end the program, these families are left without immediate help. Local officials, including Alabama Rep. Terri Sewell, have expressed frustration, condemning the Trump administration’s actions as a blatant disregard for public health.
“This agreement had nothing to do with DEI,” Sewell said. “It was about addressing a public health crisis that has forced generations of children and families to endure the health hazards of living in proximity to raw sewage.”
Despite these setbacks, Flowers and other advocates remain hopeful that change is possible. She pointed to a similar situation in Mount Vernon, New York, where a sewage issue was resolved with the collective effort of local, state, and federal officials.
As the battle for Lowndes County’s future continues, Flowers emphasized the importance of perseverance. “We will continue this fight,” she said. “We’re talking about giving up a culture. It’s not just about occupying another house; it’s about our home, our heritage, and our community.”
