On Wednesday, May 30^th, Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) and Senator Doug Jones (D-AL) will host a Public Health Fair in Hayneville, Alabama. The health fair is intended to raise public awareness about the health consequences associated with failing septic systems and wastewater contamination and provide an opportunity for safe and confidential health screenings. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held at the Lowndes Interpretive Center.

“For struggling families in rural America, including those in Alabama’s rural Black Belt, deteriorating wastewater infrastructure has created a health crisis that is unacceptable for us to ignore as elected officials,” Rep. Terri Sewell said. “In rural communities like Lowndes County, some residents don’t have proper access to primary health care services, where they can get screened and treated for conditions that arise from failing wastewater systems. Our upcoming public health fair will provide rural Alabamians with the tools and resources they need to keep their families and homes healthy. This public health fair is a necessary step in the right direction, designed to open lines of communication with health experts, community leaders, and rural families, and provide free and confidential health screenings to Lowndes County residents.”

“No one should have to live in a home where wastewater is straight-piped into their backyard, putting their families at risk for serious and costly health consequences,” Senator Doug Jones said. “Unfortunately, communities across rural Alabama are facing this public health crisis and it’s long overdue that they get the resources they need to make lasting progress. That’s why I’m proud to partner with my colleague Congresswoman Sewell to host this upcoming public health fair, which will give us an opportunity to hear directly from folks who are facing these challenges and help them keep their families safe and healthy.”

The Public Health Fair will take place on Wednesday, May 30, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm inside the Lowndes Interpretive Center, located at 7002 US Highway-80, Hayneville, AL 36040. Health services provided will include a wide array of screenings. Attendees will also learn more about resources available for assistance with properly installed septic systems.

Experts suggest that 60 percent of homes in some parts of rural Alabama drain wastewater without treatment from a septic system.¹ Researchers from the University of Alabama estimate that more than 500,000 gallons of raw sewage enter rivers and streams in Alabama’s Black Belt each day.

Details for Wednesday, May 30, 2018:

Senator Jones and Congresswoman Sewell to host community health fair in Hayneville, Alabama

WHEN: 5:00 – 7:00 PM Central

WHERE: Lowndes Interpretive Center, 7002 US Highway-80, Hayneville, AL 36040

NOTE: Media interested in attending should RSVP to Press@Jones.Senate.Gov or contact Congresswoman Sewell’s press office at Kierra.powell@mail.house.gov

¹ Jones, Adam. “A Raw Deal.” The University of Alabama, 11 Dec. 2017, www.ua.edu/news/2017/12/a-raw-deal/.

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Rep. Terri A. Sewell (D-AL) is serving her fourth term representing Alabama’s 7th Congressional district. She sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and was recently appointed to the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Sewell is a Chief Deputy Whip and serves on the prestigious Steering and Policy Committee of the Democratic Caucus. She is also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and serves as Vice Chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus, and Vice Chair of Outreach for the New Democrat Coalition.