most problems. >> reporter: were you concerned about her health. >> yes, very. >> reporter: untreated sewage can lead to bacterial infections and intestinal parasites. the only solution is a new system, but the hard clay soil here requires specially designed septic systems that can cause as much as a median household income in lowndes county, alabama. >> with the brown car. ick house. >> reporter: which is why sherry bradley of the alabama department of public health and perman hardy are taking matters into their own hands. >> this is the first meeting to have the black elt unincorporated waste water program. >> reporter: bradley and hardy raised $700,000 in donations to install working systems. qualifying residents make a one-time down payment, then pay a $20 monthly fee. >> every time it rains, people -- they know what might happen, they know that sewage may shoot out and come back in the house. >> reporter: that sort of damage does that do? >> i can't imagine. i just can't imagine.
thank you so much for helping out here. >> reporter: but on this day, bradley and hardy's teamwork paid off. they got a new septic system installed at earnestine gordon's place. >> i am so happy that i don't know have to come outside and look at this. it's going to go that way instead of that way. momma says hallelujah! hallelujah! >> it's great. been a long hot day. >> reporter: renna gordon can only hope she's next. do you know when it might happen? >> i really don't know. i hope it will be soon. >> reporter: adam yamaguchi for eye on america, cbs news, lowndes county, alabama. >> o'donnell: we learned the justice department is opening an investigation into the state. tonight on "cbs evening news," a wild video of a brazen carjacking this afternoon in new york city. with unitedhealthcare medicare advantage plans,
rural alabama where help is needed. >> reporter: america in 21st cee in the backyards of the rural poor. in lowndes county, alabama, perman hardy knows all about it. >> when there's a lot of rain you cannot flush the toilet. >> reporter: if you did it would be all over your house. >> yes, when it goes bloop, bloop, get ready, here it comes. >> reporter: in the unincorporated areas of this county, the martin luther king famously led selma to montgomery march, there's no municipal sewage system and for an estimated 80% of households no adequate september system either. >> backs up in the shower, backs up in the tub, gnats everywhere. >> reporter: r raw sewage flooded his mother's house. >> this is the tub that had the