BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – An engineering firm that spent more than two decades serving as the independent engineer for Birmingham’s water utility is suing Central Alabama Water (CAW), claiming it owes nearly $1.4 million for work already completed.
Arcadis U.S., Inc. filed the breach-of-contract lawsuit Tuesday in Jefferson County Circuit Court against City of Birmingham Regional Water Works, doing business as CAW, formerly known as the Birmingham Water Works Board (BWWB).
The company is seeking roughly $1.39 million in compensatory damages, plus interest.
“Central Alabama Water has not been served with this lawsuit,” the utility said in a statement. “We will withhold comment until we have lawfully been served with the complaint and had an opportunity to review it.”
A 22-year relationship, then a termination notice
Arcadis is the successor company to Malcolm Pirnie, Inc., which signed on as the water utility’s independent engineer in August 2003. Under that agreement, the firm was to provide “professional engineering services in all phases of the Board’s operation of its water and sewer systems,” according to the contract attached to the lawsuit. The deal automatically renewed each year unless either side gave 90 days’ written notice to end it…