Rise to the Moment of Truth Friday, March 31, 2023

Tag: BIRMINGHAM WATER WORKS

Photo from the Birmingham Water Works Facebook page
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.

From Birmingham Water Works Board Linked In
Birmingham Water Works Board chair tries to reverse resignation in letter to Mayor Woodfin

Birmingham Water Works Board (BWWB) chairman Chris Rice withdrew his resignation Wednesday, less than a week after filing it with the utility company, according to reports.

Christopher Rice trussvilletribune com
Birmingham Water Works chair Chris Rice resigns amid ongoing billing controversy

Birmingham Water Works Board chair Chris Rice resigned Thursday morning.

Birmingham Water Works
Report: Leaked emails accuse Birmingham Water Works of ignoring billing problems

Two Birmingham Water Works employees said they warned management of potential billing problems for months, according to WBRC.

Birmingham Water Works
Embattled Birmingham Water Works appoints interim purchasing manager

The Birmingham Water Works may have appointed an interim purchasing manager after suddenly retiring the former manager last week.

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State Sen. Jabo Waggoner on Birmingham Water Works scandal: If we don't see some improvement, legislative action 'definitely a possibility'

For the better part of the last decade, State Sen. Jabo Waggoner (R-Vestavia Hills) has had multiple run-ins with the Birmingham Water Works.

Randall Woodfin from Will Blakely
Watch — Birmingham Mayor Woodfin to Water Works Board: 'Get out of the way'

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin went live on Facebook Monday morning to tell the Birmingham Water Works Board (BWWB) to step out of the way and let the general manager fix billing issues. 

Birmingham Mayor Woodfin Randall
Birmingham Mayor Woodfin: Water Works 'mismanagement' is 'absolutely unacceptable'

Thursday, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin took to Twitter to condemn the latest news out of the beleaguered Birmingham Water Works.

BWWB
Birmingham Water Works retires three purchasing department employees; Accusations of improper purchasing activity, kickbacks

The Birmingham Water Works Board accepted the retirements of most of its purchasing department on Wednesday amidst accusations of poor practices and kickbacks.