Birmingham Water Crisis: Unaccounted Water, Soaring Costs

0:00Here's more Birmingham news from March 12th. A new report from Central Alabama Water uncovers serious issues in the old Birmingham Water Work System, covering 2001 to 2000. 24. It points to huge water losses, with over half of treated water never billed to customers, plus bills climbing much faster than inflation and operating costs soaring out of control. In 2024 alone, 53% of produced water went unbilled, a 129% jump since 2001. For the same household usage back in 2001, monthly bills have now hit nearly $50. These problems hit customers hard, driving up costs amid falling overall water use, down more than 26% over the years. This has ballooned 237% to $148 million, with admin costs spiking nearly 70% just. From 2021 to 2024. That backdrop explains the state legislature's move in 2025 to re-structure it into Central

1:03Alabama Water, serving Jefferson. Shelby, St. Clair, Blount and Walker counties, CEO Jeffrey Thompson says fixing these decades-old trends will take time. Next up, a revised 2026 budget targeting key fixes goes before the board on March 20th. Thanks to our sponsor for supporting today's coverage. A pillow that plays your podcasts, music or white noise privately, no earbuds required. S-O-L-I, solely pillow.com.