Residents near Vandiver, Alabama, are grappling with a severe water crisis after a drilling mishap by R.E.M. Directional, contracted by Alabama Power, led to the puncturing of an aquifer during fiber cable installation. The incident, initially undisclosed to the public, resulted in an uncontrolled blowout, causing wells to dry up across the community.

What started with one neighbor’s well drying up quickly spread like a domino effect, leaving the entire street without water. In response, a Shelby County judge mandated continuous, around-the-clock operations by Alabama Power and R.E.M. Directional to mitigate the breach.

A spokesperson for Alabama Power stated:

"Alabama Power is working around the clock to complete the project as quickly as possible. Upon completion, we can fully assess any impacted wells and promptly resolve the matter."

Experts warn that no one really knows what the long-term effects on the aquifer will be. There’s a chance the water could be contaminated, and there’s no guarantee it will ever fully recover. If too much water is lost, the ground could even become unstable, increasing the risk of sinkholes—a terrifying thought for homeowners in the area. 

This situation is like poking a hole in the bottom of a McDonald’s cup. At first, you might just see a small leak, but before long, all the liquid inside drains out, leaving nothing but an empty shell. The difference? Unlike a fast-food cup, you can’t just grab another drink. Once an aquifer is compromised, refilling it naturally can take years—if it’s even possible at all.

In the latest update (March 4th, 2025), a group of homeowners pushed to sue Alabama Power, claiming that the company is responsible for draining their wells. 

Alabama Power’s latest statement: 

“We have completed drilling and conduit installation, and we are now working to seal the space around the conduit. Upon completion, we can fully assess any impacted wells. 

Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time something like this has happened. In Minnesota, Enbridge Energy punctured an aquifer while building the Line 3 oil pipeline, releasing 24 million gallons of groundwater and facing hefty fines for the damage. In Pennsylvania, a drilling contractor for a gas pipeline project was found guilty of contaminating local water supplies.

One of the most infamous cases of drilling-related disasters occurred in 1980 at Lake Peigneur, Louisiana. Texaco oil drillers miscalculated their positioning and accidentally punctured an underground salt mine operated by the Diamond Crystal Salt Company. The mistake caused the entire lake to drain into the mine, creating a massive whirlpool that swallowed an oil rig, several barges, a tugboat, and large sections of surrounding land, permanently altering the landscape. The freshwater lake became a deep saltwater body, a stark reminder of how drilling errors can lead to irreversible environmental damage.

These incidents are a harsh reminder of why drilling projects need strict oversight and proper safeguards—because once a water source is damaged, fixing it isn’t always possible.

Alabama is already a water-stressed state, and the demand from industries like large-scale poultry farms (such as Tyson) further strains the region’s aquifers. Questions remain about the Vandiver incident—what angle was the drilling done at, and how long did they drill? Did they puncture the aquifer through the side of a hill? These details matter because they could determine the extent of the damage and hold companies accountable. 

Alabama Power’s parent company reported 4.4 billion in profits for the 2024 year.