In a report released by Alabama Rivers Alliance and Southern Environmental Law Center, the groups suggested changes needed in state policies for clean and plentiful drinking water in the Alabama Water Agenda.

The agenda focuses on water policy, enforcement, agency coordination and funding. Recommended were more funding for water quality programs, stronger enforcement of water laws and better communication between agencies responsible for water resources, according to a release.

The report says Alabama does not have a comprehensive water resources management plan, the only state in the South without one. The recent Alabama-Georgia-Florida “water wars” lawsuit resulted in a federal court ruling, which was not favorable to Alabama.

“Alabama is vulnerable right now because it does not have a statewide water plan, and as the ruling has shown, it can hurt us in the water negotiations in the future,” said Keith Johnston, managing attorney at the Birmingham office of the Southern Environmental Law Center.

Representatives from both groups will present details of the Alabama Water Agenda to Gov. Robert Bentley this week, as well as to state legislators.