Birmingham's $183 million water pipe repair plan delayed by mayor's conditions
A plan to secure more than $180 million in funding to replace and repair Birmingham’s aging water infrastructure is on hold as city officials and the Central Alabama Water Works Board continue negotiations over spending priorities and oversight, according to a local ABC News affiliate.
The Water Works Board is seeking approval for a $183 million loan to finance large-scale pipe replacement and system improvements, ABC News reported. While Mayor Randall Woodfin expressed support for the goal of modernizing Birmingham’s water network, he said his backing for the loan depends on several conditions.
In a public statement, Woodfin said he would not approve the funding package without assurances that there would be no rate increases for residents, greater inclusion of minority-owned contractors in project bids, and a reduction in legal fees and outside consulting costs.
City Councilmember Hunter Williams underscored the broader economic impact of water and sewer service costs, noting that affordability is essential to both family budgets and regional development.
The city council has not yet voted on the proposal. If approved, the loan would represent one of the largest infrastructure investments in Birmingham’s recent history, aimed at replacing decades-old pipes and improving system reliability across the metropolitan area.
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