The BWW general manager said Birmingham Water Works customers will not experience service disruptions, and ongoing infrastructure improvements will continue after the Legislature’s passage of a bill to dissolve the current water board and set up a regional board.
Local officials cry foul as bill to reduce Birmingham’s appointments to the board passes; legislators say it’s needed because of longstanding billing, pricing and management issues.
Members of the Birmingham City Council and Mayor Randall Woodfin say the bill would dilute the city’s influence over the water works but do nothing to improve water quality.
The Ethics Commission said there is no evidence to support allegations that BWWB Chairwoman Tereshia Huffman had violated the ethics law. Lawmakers also revised a bill to revamp the BWWB, adding two members.
The Senate could vote as early as Thursday on a bill to restructure the Birmingham Water Works Board and dilute the city's influence.
Phase 2 of the project is expected to begin by the end of the year.
A former board member was removed from the meeting as he was criticizing the choice to name Mac Underwood to the GM slot.
The current equipment is old and incompatible with a planned new meter-reading system. Replacing it would cost $1.2 million with additional operational costs of more than $1.8 million over five years. Read more.
The new board this week reappointed its previous officers. Read more.
A Birmingham Water Works customer recently went to show members of the utility’s board what it takes to resolve one billing dispute, including four in-person trips to the customer service center. Read more.
