Sen. Doug Jones starts this environmental roundtable with a moment of silence for Lowndes County Sheriff John Williams, killed on Saturday. "It’s a great, great loss for this law enforcement community, and the greater Alabama community." #alpolitics

Jones talked about efforts to improve wastewater infrastructure in the Black Belt (a key issue here) and efforts to get EPA to act. "Minority communities are clearly and disproportionately affected by contaminated air and water." #alpolitics

Perman Hardy, a Lowndes County activist, noting the rural nature of Lowndes (which makes it hard for residents to tie into system) requires specialized wastewater systems. "Who can afford a $10,000 septic tank in Lowndes County? I can’t." #alpolitics

Ben Eaton, a Perry County Commissioner, says that they've had problems with sewage in Uniontown "as long as I can remember," due in part to the soil. "I’m grateful for the programs, the grants and what we have received since this thing started. But the fight is still on."

Tony Haygood, Mayor of Tuskegee, says local communities need help from federal and state authorities to address the sewage problems; local budgets are already stretched, he said. "It's very very expensive to address, and we need to be on top of it." #alpolitics

A lot of talk about helping local communities apply for funding for the specialized wastewater systems that they need. #alpolitics