PB Services Lawsuit

Black Warrior Riverkeeper sues PB Services, LLC for polluting the Locust Fork

For immediate release: October 16, 2025

Contact: Eva Dillard, Staff Attorney, Black Warrior Riverkeeper, 205-458-0095, [email protected]

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—Today, Black Warrior Riverkeeper filed a lawsuit against PB Services, LLC for violating the federal Clean Water Act at Bessie Mine and Locust Fork Red Rock in Jefferson County. PB Services operates the red rock mining and iron ore waste reclamation facility in Adamsville that also conducts dry processing of the materials it mines and reclaims.

Black Warrior Riverkeeper filed the lawsuit against PB Services under the Clean Water Act for violations of its discharge permit’s limitations on cadmium, manganese, selenium, thallium, total suspended solids, and toxicity. The nonprofit clean water advocacy organization also sued the company for its failure to perform required sampling of its discharges of pollution. Finally, Black Warrior Riverkeeper sued PB Services for discharging pollution without a permit, as PB Services failed to renew its pollution permit for over two years.

Bessie Mine and Locust Fork Red Rock discharge process water to the Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River, as well as to an unnamed tributary. The Locust Fork is home to a wide array of aquatic species and is frequented by many for kayaking, canoeing, swimming, fishing, boating, enjoying nature, and much more.

“Locust Fork Red Rock is selling waste red rock from the former Bessie coal mine and foundry waste from US Pipe, both of which are loaded with heavy metals,” said Nelson Brooke, staff Riverkeeper at Black Warrior Riverkeeper. “Wastewater discharged from outfall DSN 001 into an unnamed tributary of the Locust Fork since 2020 has consistently violated Clean Water Act permit limitations for multiple heavy metals, including cadmium and selenium. Our goal is to encourage PB Services toward permit compliance so they will properly treat their wastewater and stop polluting the Locust Fork.”

To read today’s lawsuit, click here.

For a Google Map of Locust Fork Red Rock and Bessie Mine, click here.

For a high-resolution photo of the Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River adjacent to Bessie Mine and Locust Fork Red Rock, click here. Photo by Nelson Brooke, Black Warrior Riverkeeper.

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Black Warrior Riverkeeper’s mission is to protect and restore the Black Warrior River and its tributaries. The nonprofit water advocacy organization promotes clean water for the sake of public health, recreation, and wildlife habitat throughout the Black Warrior River watershed. BlackWarriorRiver.org

The Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River adjacent to Bessie Mine and Locust Fork Red Rock. Photo by Nelson Brooke, Black Warrior Riverkeeper.