Rise to the Moment of Truth Thursday, March 28, 2024

Tag: BIRMINGHAM WATER WORKS

From Birmingham Water Works Board Linked In Alabama News
Birmingham Water Works Board member files lawsuit against utility after request for legal expense information was denied

A Birmingham Water Works Board member filed a lawsuit against the large utility after his request for legal expense invoices from as far back as October 2015 was denied.

Birmingham Water Works Headquarters front door Photo by Will Blakely Alabama News
Birmingham Water Works employees deliver ‘no-confidence’ vote in senior management, accuse utility of racial bias in disciplinary proceedings, unfair pay

Employees of the Birmingham Water Works delivered a “no-confidence” vote in the large utility’s senior management this week, indicating concern about their treatment by higher-ups in the organization. 

Photo from Birmingham Water Works Board Website Alabama News
Birmingham Water Works passes $215 million 2024 budget, reduces rate hike by 1% from proposal

The Birmingham Water Works Board passed its fiscal year 2024 budget on Tuesday after adjusting proposed budgets to reduce next year’s rate hike from 5.8% to 4.8%.

Photo from Birmingham Water Works Facebook Alabama News
Utility costs for Jefferson County residents may increase in 2024

Jefferson County residents may have higher utility bills in 2024 as the county increases sewer rates, and those within the jurisdiction of Birmingham Water Works face a potential rate hike for the third year in a row.

Birmingham Water Works Headquarters front door Photo by Will Blakely Alabama News
Birmingham Water Works Board manages to maintain current structure despite devastating year in 2022 and legislative attempts to clean house

If Alabama lawmakers had passed HB177 this legislative session, the current members of the Birmingham Water Works Board could have been fired and replaced. The bill would’ve also altered the qualification and appointment structure of the board.

Birmingham Water Works General Manager Michael Johnson Alabama News
Birmingham Water Works hiring more billing personnel, looking to implement automatic meter readers by 2024

The Birmingham Water Works announced a new billing initiative on Tuesday, which it claims will address the utility’s billing issues that customers experienced last year.

Photo from Birmingham City Council District 5 Website Alabama News
Birmingham City Council passes resolution to disapprove bill in Alabama Legislature to overhaul the BWWB — ‘Totally unfair how they bully Birmingham'

The Birmingham City Council passed a resolution on Tuesday to express its disapproval of a bill in the Alabama House of Representatives that would overhaul the Birmingham Water Works Board and reorganize the appointment structure of its members.

Water meter and coin stacks. Growth of water consumption, price and costs concept. 3d illustration Alabama News
Birmingham Water Works, Jefferson County to examine benefits of implementing automatic meter readers for water and sewer

The Jefferson County Commission approved a new billing agreement with the Birmingham Water Works Board (BWWB) on Tuesday after what reports say were months of negotiations.

From Birmingham Water Works Board Linked In Alabama News
Birmingham Water Works Board passes new director policies as lawmakers push to overhaul

Just as some state legislators push to overhaul the Birmingham Water Works Board (BWWB), the utility decided on Wednesday to adopt a new self-governance policy and director pledge.

Photo from the Birmingham Water Works Facebook page Alabama News
State Rep. Carns proposes bill to terminate current Birmingham Water Works Board members — ‘Their governance needs to be overhauled’

After a year of crisis at the Birmingham Water Works, two state legislators representing part of the Birmingham area are trying to alter the qualifications for serving on the Birmingham Water Works Board (BWWB) and make the utility regional. That means the Alabama Gov. would gain the authority to appoint three of its members.

From Birmingham Water Works Board Linked In Alabama News
Birmingham Water Works hires second PR firm; Spokesman says it won’t affect 2023 budget

Birmingham Water Works is hiring another public relations firm, but a spokesperson said it wouldn't add to the approximately $200 million budget already approved for fiscal year 2023.

Photo by Robert Linder Alabama News
Report: Birmingham Water Works considering automated meter readings

Birmingham Water Works may be looking to automate meter readings after a year of chaos in the utility due to meter reading issues, which the utility attributed in part to labor shortages.

Birmingham Water Works Alabama News
Birmingham Water Works shutoffs, collections for delinquent customers to begin Wednesday

The Birmingham Water Works will begin shutting off water for delinquents and resume collections for outstanding bills on Wednesday.

Chairwoman Huffman Alabama News
Birmingham Water Works Board elects former Democratic State House candidate as chairwoman

The Birmingham Water Works Board elected former Democratic candidate for the Alabama House of Representatives Tereshia Huffman as its new chairwoman on Wednesday, following a hectic 2022 for the utility.

From Birmingham Water Works Board Linked In Alabama News
Birmingham Water Works files restraining order, injunction to stop petition that would allow city to seize control

The Birmingham Water Works filed a temporary restraining order and an injunction to stop a petition for a proposed ordinance for the city to take over the utility. 

Photo from the Birmingham Water Works Facebook page Alabama News
Birmingham Water Works to resume stoppage policy in February, urges customers to bring accounts current

After a year of billing issues and public outrage, the Birmingham Water Works will resume cutting off water to delinquent customers in February, the utility announced on Wednesday.

Lake Purdy Photo from Google Maps Alabama News
Birmingham Water Works to spend $73 million on infrastructure projects after 2023 rate hike, $2 million on Lake Purdy Dam

The Birmingham Water Works is spending almost $73 million next year on infrastructure projects, including a $2 million improvement to the Lake Purdy Dam.

Photo by Sigmund Alabama News
State sending nearly $50 million in grants to local agencies to help low-income households with rising utility costs

The state will be sending almost $50 million to low-income households this winter and next summer to help with increasingly unmanageable utility costs.

water bill Alabama News
H2O Foundation: Media reports of Birmingham nonprofit running out of money are false

Media outlets reported on Tuesday that a nonprofit created by Birmingham Water Works to help customers pay their water bills ran out of money. Now, the organization is saying that the story is incorrect.

From Birmingham Water Works Board Linked In Alabama News
Embattled Birmingham Water Works Board votes to raise rates by 3.9% for the second year in a row

The Birmingham Water Works Board (BWWB) voted on Wednesday to raise rates for customers, despite a year of turmoil and public controversy surrounding the utility.

Water meter and coin stacks. Growth of water consumption, price and costs concept. 3d illustration Alabama News
Birmingham Water Works to repay some customers for overbilling, most less than $5

Birmingham Water Works is planning to repay certain customers who were overcharged for water, but some might get back less than expected.

Photo from the Birmingham Water Works Facebook page Alabama News
Birmingham Water Works holds public meeting, hears criticism from public about proposed rate hike

The Birmingham Water Works Boards (BWWB) held a public hearing Wednesday night to let citizens voice their opinion about the possible rate hike.

AL AG Marshall Steve AP Photo by Andrew Harnik Alabama News
AG Steve Marshall orders Birmingham Water Works to disclose documents about potential rate increase

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall asked the Birmingham Water Works board on Thursday to turn over a handful of documents pertaining to its consideration of another rate increase for 2023.

Photo from Birmingham Water Works Board Website Alabama News
Audio recording shows Birmingham Water Works warned of billing issues in December

A former Birmingham Water Works employee released an audio recording of herself warning general manager Michael Johnson of potential billing issues in December.

From Birmingham Water Works Board Linked In Alabama News
Embattled Birmingham Water Works considers rate hike, spending more on public relations amid controversy

The Birmingham Water Works may be raising rates again for an average of 8.3% for 2023 to fund a $128 million budget, part of which will be used to pay for new public relations (PR) positions. 

Photo from Birmingham Water Works Board Website Alabama News
The Water Board bureaucracy: How does the Birmingham Water Works Board work?

The Birmingham Water Works currently serves over 600,000 Alabamians in Birmingham and five surrounding counties. It’s the largest water system in Alabama and has largely been the center of controversy in the city over the summer.

Photo from the Birmingham Water Works Facebook page Alabama News
City attorney: Birmingham Water Works Board chair not allowed to rescind resignation

Birmingham Water Works Board chairman Chris Rice might not be allowed to rescind his resignation, according to a letter from a city attorney on Thursday.

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