Alabama Facing a Water Crisis

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2016/11/Laundry_Mat_photo.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:640;s:6:"height";i:480;s:4:"file";s:29:"2016/11/Laundry_Mat_photo.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:10:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:29:"Laundry_Mat_photo-336x252.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:252;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:29:"Laundry_Mat_photo-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:27:"Laundry_Mat_photo-80x80.jpg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:29:"Laundry_Mat_photo-600x338.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:338;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:29:"Laundry_Mat_photo-600x480.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:480;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:29:"Laundry_Mat_photo-415x311.jpg";s:5:"width";i:415;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:29:"Laundry_Mat_photo-353x265.jpg";s:5:"width";i:353;s:6:"height";i:265;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:28:"ab-block-post-grid-landscape";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:29:"Laundry_Mat_photo-600x400.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:400;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:25:"ab-block-post-grid-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:29:"Laundry_Mat_photo-600x480.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:480;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:29:"Laundry_Mat_photo-125x125.jpg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:12:{s:8:"aperture";s:1:"0";s:6:"credit";s:0:"";s:6:"camera";s:0:"";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";s:1:"0";s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";s:12:"focal_length";s:1:"0";s:3:"iso";s:1:"0";s:13:"shutter_speed";s:1:"0";s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";s:1:"0";s:8:"keywords";a:0:{}}}
        )

    [_imagify_data] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:2:{s:5:"stats";a:3:{s:13:"original_size";i:0;s:14:"optimized_size";i:0;s:7:"percent";i:0;}s:5:"sizes";a:1:{s:4:"full";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}}}
        )

    [_imagify_status] => Array
        (
            [0] => already_optimized
        )

    [_imagify_optimization_level] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [_media_credit] => Array
        (
            [0] => Amy Stiftel-Sedlis, WBHM
        )

    [_navis_media_credit_org] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [_navis_media_can_distribute] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

)
1657751963 
1478111298

 

Nearly the entire state of Alabama is under the grip of a severe drought and Alabama is facing a water crisis. To date there’s no statewide mandate regarding water usage. However, some public water systems, including the Birmingham Water Works, have begun implementing their own drought conservation plans.  

Beginning November 19th, in order to continue supplying and meeting demands, the Birmingham Water Works will start charging residential customers and businesses an additional surcharge for excessive water use.

Local garden designer and landscaper Gloria Clemmensen is losing work and being hit hard, “We’re at a standstill as far as any new installations until we start getting rain. And Fall typically is a time for planting perennials, trees and shrubs. So it effects my income because I’m doing a lot less of what I would normally do in the autumn.”

Dan Jones, owner of University Coin Laundry, tells WBHM he has not yet been impacted, but knows how he will handle the uptick, If they hit me with a surcharge, certainly I don’t want that to happen, but it will have to drift down to the customers-cause that’s obviously who’s using the water, not me personally.”

Jones says he cares a lot about the water situation but can’t simply close on a weekday and risk losing business in order to save water.

As for Clemmensen, in order to supplement her income, she’s considering other seasonal work.

With little or no rain predicted anytime soon, drought officials say conditions are expected to worsen. Potential ramifications aren’t quite clear, but clearly have business owners thinking about their bottom line.

 

Earlier versions of this story referred to Gloria Clemmons. The correct spelling is Gloria Clemmensen. We regret the error.

 

Nigeria’s former President Muhammadu Buhari dies at 82

Nigeria's former president Muhammadu Buhari — who once ruled as a military dictator before returning decades later as an elected leader — has died at 82.

Los Angeles houses of worship plan for possible ICE Raids

Churches in Los Angeles put contingency plans in place after the Trump administration rescinds long-standing guidance advising immigration agents to avoid houses of worship.

‘Love Island USA’ might decenter whiteness — but the show still won’t face reality

The finale of Love Island USA airs Sunday night. Critic Aisha Harris says it's impossible to separate the season's racial and ethnic diversity from the show's mealy-mouthed handling of behind-the-scenes drama.

Folklife stars: Maya artist, Bolivian rappers, Dolly Parton’s guitar restorer

They all showed off their talents at this year's Smithsonian Folklife Festival. The theme: How youth keep cultural traditions alive.

Israeli strikes in Gaza kill at least 19, hospitals say, as ceasefire talks drag on

Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip killed at least 19 people on Sunday, including six children at a water collection point, local health officials said.

‘Panicking’: Why recent college grads are struggling to find jobs

Recent college graduates are facing one of the most challenging job markets in years — with the exception of the pandemic period — even as the overall unemployment rate remains low.

More Front Page Coverage