News Summary
The Alcy Ball neighborhood in South Memphis is launching a groundwater protection initiative to safeguard drinking water from contamination due to historical pollution. The project, involving community residents as ‘citizen scientists’, emphasizes local engagement and aims to address ongoing health concerns linked to the Memphis Defense Depot Superfund site, which has a troubled history of hazardous waste dumping affecting the community’s health.
South Memphis Community Launches Groundwater Protection Initiative Amid Health Concerns Linked to Historical Contamination
The Alcy Ball neighborhood in South Memphis is set to implement a new project aimed at protecting the drinking water within the Memphis Sand Aquifer. This aquifer serves as a vital source of clean drinking water for much of the Mid-South region, spanning across eight states in the Mississippi River Basin. The initiative is a response to ongoing health concerns linked to the area’s history of contamination, particularly surrounding the former site of the Memphis Defense Depot.
The project will involve a collaborative effort among various organizations, including the Alcy Ball Development Corporation, Protect Our Aquifer, the Memphis-Shelby County Office of Sustainability and Resilience, and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. Funding for the initiative consists of a $150,000 award from Partners for Places and an additional $75,000 from the Hyde Family Foundation.
This initiative aims to engage Alcy Ball residents as “citizen scientists”, allowing them to actively contribute to environmental testing and the development of groundwater protection strategies. The project is essential given that Alcy Ball is situated above a breach in the protective clay layer of the aquifer, which can lead to potential contamination from hazardous materials.
Health Concerns and Historical Context
The Memphis Defense Depot was designated a Superfund site in 1992 due to extensive pollution and related health issues reported in the primarily Black community. This site has a troubling history, having served as a dumping ground for various forms of chemical waste, including substances as dangerous as Nazi mustard gas. As a result, the local community has reported serious health problems, including cancers and reproductive issues, which many attribute to the pollution from the depot.
Despite these concerns, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has faced criticism for its lack of ongoing health studies in the Alcy Ball area after acknowledging the contamination issues in 1992. Previous health studies conducted by the EPA have concluded that there is no link between cancer cases and toxin exposure from the depot; however, many community members contest this finding, citing personal stories of health struggles related to contamination.
Community Engagement and Project Goals
The environmental project will feature a resident-led review to identify local threats to the aquifer, supported by technical experts. A series of community meetings will be organized to gather input regarding data and proposals for the groundwater protection plan. This community-centric approach seeks to empower local residents, giving them a voice in the process of safeguarding their essential water source.
Furthermore, the residents will be encouraged to design and implement a “green infrastructure demonstration project”, which aims to guide land use decisions with an emphasis on aquifer conservation. The overarching goal of this initiative is to serve as a template for similar community-driven groundwater protection efforts throughout Shelby County.
Looking Forward
Moving forward, the Alcy Ball community is committed to advocating for health recognition and necessary actions concerning ongoing risks related to historical contamination. Despite completing the government’s cleanup efforts, local residents continue to call for attention to health disputes, believing that the conversation surrounding their environmental safety must include their lived experiences and ongoing health battles. This collaborative initiative is a pivotal step towards reversing decades of neglect while addressing critical environmental and public health risks.
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Additional Resources
- Memphis Flyer: Alcy Ball Residents to Lead First of Its Kind Groundwater Protection Plan
- Wikipedia: Groundwater Protection
- Tennessee Lookout: South Memphis Neighborhood to Shape Plan to Protect Memphis Aquifer Drinking Water
- Google Search: Groundwater Contamination Health Effects
- Daily Memphian: Memphis Sand Aquifer and South Alcy Ball Neighborhood Water Issues
- Google Scholar: Groundwater Contamination Studies
- Fox 13 Memphis: South Memphis Residents Say Old Defense Depot is Making Them Sick
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Aquifer
Author: STAFF HERE MEMPHIS WRITER
The MEMPHIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMemphis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Memphis, Shelby County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the areaโwith deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Beale Street Music Festival, Elvis Week, and Memphis in May International Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Memphis Chamber and the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and music that power the local economy such as FedEx, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and AutoZone. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
