Alabama Department of Environmental Management
P.O. Box 301463 (Zip 36130-1463)
1400 Coliseum Boulevard (Zip 36110-2400)
Montgomery, Alabama
(334) 271-7700

CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION FROM ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
ADEM Fund Code 245

SRF Project No. FS010090-04

MORGAN & LAWRENCE

The Alabama Department of Environmental Management has made $22,000,000 available to West Morgan – East Lawrence Water & Sewer Authority using funds from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation (DWSRF-BIL-EC) Emerging Contaminants loan program and the Emerging Contaminants in Small and Disadvantaged Communities Grant Program. In accordance with State and Federal regulations that govern the program, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management has conducted a review to assess the potential impacts upon the environment that may result from implementation of this project.

The West-Morgan/East Lawrence Water Authority proposes to interconnect with the West Lawrence Water Authority and Hartselle Utilities water systems. West Lawrence currently purchases water from the City of Moulton. Hartselle currently purchases water from Decatur Utilities and provides water exclusively to the Town of Falkville. Both sources have been tested and revealed to have emerging contaminants within the drinking water. WM/EL operates a reverse osmosis system which eliminates emerging contaminants from drinking water. Interconnection to WM/EL would provide the communities with increased water quality and allow the systems to comply with the proposed MCL standard for PFOA and PFAS contaminants. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management has determined that the project qualifies for a Categorical Exclusion (CE) from further environmental study under the guidelines specified by the State Environmental Review Process (SERP) which specifically include actions which are solely directed toward minor rehabilitation of existing facilities, functional replacement of equipment, or towards the construction of new ancillary facilities adjacent or appurtenant to existing facilities. However, this decision may be reconsidered if significant adverse information concerning the potential environmental impacts of the project is discovered.

Comments relative to this project should be submitted in writing to Mr. William Lott, SRF Section, Permits & Services Division, Alabama Department of Environmental Management, P.O. Box 301463, Montgomery, Alabama 36130-1463, no later than 30 days after the date of this public notice. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management will not take formal action to proceed with the project without carefully evaluating any public comments opposing the project.

Notice is hereby given on this 14th day of May, 2025, by authorization of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.

_______________________________
Jeffery W. Kitchens
Acting Director

Nondiscrimination Statement: The Department does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in the administration of its programs.