Water Bill Increase: Water Works May Raise Rates Again

BIRMINGHAM, AL — High water and sewer rates have been the source of complaints for years by Birmingham residents, and those complaints will likely continue if the Birmingham Water Works Board approves a 3.9 percent rate increase.

The board will hold a public hearing Thursday night at 5:30 to discuss the increase. Water rates have increased each year for the last 10 years. Although the rate increase would not be approved Thursday night, it could be approved as early as Nov. 26.

BWWB spokesman Rick Jackson said the money is needed to pay off debt and to invest in infrastructure.

"We have over 4,000 miles of main that we have to maintain, millions of gallons of water that have to be treated on the daily so we want to maintain that quality water at an affordable price," Jackson told ABC 33/40.

The BWWB revealed it is $986 million in debt.

The BWWB has been under scrutiny for more than a decade now, as mismanagement of funds has been an issue as recently as this year.

Birmingham Water Works Board chairwoman Sherry Lewis was convicted just two weeks ago of two of the three ethics charges for which she was indicted in 2017.

Lewis was charged with using her position for personal gain, or for the gain of a family member, and voting on matters in which she or her family members had financial interest — including a no-show job for a family member, free meals, and other improper benefits.

She was allowed to remain on the BWWB right up until her conviction.