By Adam Smith

The North Jefferson News



Water customers in north Jefferson County may have noticed an increase in their water bill this month.

Binnie Myles, public communications manager for the Birmingham Water Works Board, said the board adjusts its rates on an annual basis. She said prior to the increase, the average water bill for a family of four was $29.60. However, the adjustment means that bill will increase to $31.86, a difference of $2.26.

“This helps our various financial obligations,” Myles said. However, she said the Birmingham Water Works rate is still among the lowest in the nation. “That average is about $35 and ours is $31.”

The new adjustment is due to increases in the costs of water treatment chemicals, pipe, gas, insurance premiums and federal regulations.

Figures provided by the Birmingham Water Works Board show pipe costs to increase by 23 percent and power by 13 percent.

A press release from the Birmingham Water Works notes that chemical prices have gone up 22 percent over 2007 prices.

To help offset some of these increases, the board purchases chemicals in bulk quantities.

“It is better to buy chemicals in bulk because the prices will likely change within the year,” said Mac Underwood, general manager of the Birmingham Water Works. “Increases like these are what drive our operations and capital budgets.”

Myles said the ongoing drought is not the cause of the rate increase and that the board relied on surcharges to customers to offset the cost of drought-related projects. She said the surcharges helped limit water use. Only 13 percent of customers had to pay surcharges, she said.

Despite recent rainfall, a State 2 drought watch is still in effect. “Some people forget that because it’s cold, the drought is over,” Milles said. “People still need to use water wisely.”

Homeowners with addresses ending in even numbers are asked to water on Mondays and Thursdays, while odd-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Myles also offered other water-saving tips including not running water continuously while brushing your teeth and making sure there are no leaks around toilets and fixtures.

For more information on the drought watch, visit www.birminghamwaterworks.com.