Severe weather conditions in January put strain on water infrastructure, causing low water pressure and power outages, particularly in the Oakman and Parrish communities in Walker County, where some residents went without water for as long as 16 days.

On Wednesday, Alabama Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Reed hosted an event in Oakman to announce the award of $6.7 million in grant funding that will contribute to a long-term solution to the problem.

“The most important element of being a public servant is service,” said State Sen. Reed (R-Jasper). “In response to this crisis, we have worked extremely hard to pursue every available resource to ensure a situation like this never happens again.”

“I want to make sure that this region has every resource available to ensure it remains a great place to live, work, raise a family and call home. It is my hope and expectation that those resources will be used to best further that purpose for the residents of this region,” Reed said.

Grant funding is being provided primarily through the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) and the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), with additional support from Warrior Met Coal.

“We are pleased to join Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Reed and local leaders in Oakman to celebrate this significant progress in improving water service in Walker, Fayette and Tuscaloosa counties,” said ADECA President Kenneth Boswell.

“ADECA is a collaborative agency under Governor Kay Ivey’s jurisdiction and we are pleased to provide a grant for this important water infrastructure improvement that will serve both residents and commerce in the region in the months and years to come.”

Other state leaders who have worked closely to ensure resources are provided to the region were also able to join Senator Reid in Oakman.

“I couldn't be more pleased to see the Water Infrastructure Improvement Grant funding available to our region,” said State Rep. Brian Brynyak (R-Tuscaloosa). “This region of Alabama faced major challenges with its water supply in January, and this $6.7 million grant will make a huge difference in ensuring our infrastructure meets the needs of our citizens. I'd like to thank everyone who was involved at the federal, state and local levels to make this grant happen and solve this problem for the people in our community.”

“I am pleased that $6.7 million has been secured to improve water infrastructure for residents of South Walker, Fayette and Tuscaloosa counties,” said State Rep. Matt Woods (R-Jasper).

“I want to thank ADECA, ADEM, Warrior Met and Senator Greg Reed for their hard work in strengthening water supply to areas that experienced significant water outages during last winter's extreme cold. This is a major win for the people served by Oakman and Parish Water District. It will also help sustain industrial extraction operations for years to come that provide good paying jobs to the hundreds of hardworking families that call this area home,” said Rep. Woods (R-Jasper).

According to Governor Reed's office, the announcement was attended by local leaders and officials from Walker, Fayette and Tuscaloosa counties. The projects are fully funded and are in various stages of the bidding and construction process. Local officials hope to have the projects completed by June 2026.

“We are incredibly grateful for this grant and the support of Governor Ivey, Director Boswell and Director LeFleur,” said State Assemblyman Tim Wadsworth (R-Early). “We appreciate all of the staff's collaboration in securing these funds, and I know the residents of Walker County are grateful as well.”

Grayson Everett is the state and politics editor for Yellow Hammer News. You can follow him on Twitter. Grayson