“Water, water everywhere and nary a drop to drink.” This little saying did not originate with me, but it has some figurative importance to me. 

This is the thought that I had when we moved back to Gadsden in September 2016. When our real estate agent called and advised us not to drink the faucet water, but to obtain bottled water, alarm bells went off everywhere. 

I could not understand what had happened to Gadsden’s drinking and bathing water as I stared at the Coosa River. I was not aware that a lawsuit had been filed in May 2016 regarding the pollution of Gadsden’s water supply. 

It was particularly shocking since water in St. Louis, where we moved from, has been touted as some of the best. St. Louis supplies water to many areas outside of the city’s perimeter. The water served my skin and me well over the years that I resided there. 

As we looked into the aftermath of the lawsuit, we found that it had in fact been filed by the Gadsden Water Works and Sewer Board. This fact was convoluted by those who make community issues their personal signature to run for office, or to castigate those who hold office. 

Distortion of facts and misinformation to the community serves no helpful purpose, nor does it cause voters to surge to the polls on your behalf. Sensationalizing important issues clouds what is actually wrong and jeopardizes viable solutions that benefit the entire community. 

The scary water issue affected the entire community. The polluted water did not wend its way into any particular homes, or a particular community. We all were affected. 

We still have the residuals of the time stacked in the garage. Bottled water had been a take it or leave it proposition for us. 

Gadsden residents should pay attention to who or what organization serves as their news source. Using life-affecting issues to build a personal platform is patently wrong and is a disservice to those without an array of access to information. 

The recent announcement of a settlement of the water treatment issue is welcome news. We deserve a good solution to a problem not caused by the citizens. 

The announcement was “A mutually agreed upon settlement will result in the state of Alabama’s largest reverse osmosis (RO) treatment facility to provide [our] customers with PFAS free drinking water. 

The authority went on to say that Gadsden customers will not be asked to pay for the treatment required to remove chemicals that they did not place there. Further, Gadsden Water is addressing construction of the treatment facility. The Water Board provides updates on any new information regarding PFAS on its website at www.gadsdenwater.org. 

With no disrespect to the current city administration, a new day lies ahead. 

There is an opportunity to be open and transparent. There is an opportunity to be fair and even handed. That is what most people want. 

The growth and development of the city should be set by those whom the people elected to office — presuming that they are listening to their constituents, not the “armchair quarterbacks.” 

I hear the distant rumble like thunder, of self-importance. Those elected must live for another day. It is not about you or your popularity or great appeal. It is about the people of the City of Gadsden. Remember that you have just begun the campaign for a second term! 

Elaine Harris Spearman, Esq., a Gadsden native, is an attorney and is the retired legal advisor to the comptroller of the City of St. Louis. 

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Originally Appeared Here