BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ( WIAT ) — The Birmingham Water Works Board heard from the community Monday night on a proposed water rate increase.
The proposed increase is 4.9%, which the BWW said comes out to about a $2.14 increase per bill for the average customer. But many people said they’re concerned about this rate hike, as they’re already having to tighten their belts in the current economy.
“I’m here for my family because I can’t afford to pay the water bill,” a Trussville resident said at Monday’s public hearing.
“You can drink bottled water cheaper than you can drink tap water. That’s a concern,” a Hoover resident said to the board Monday night.
“As it is now, we’re having people that are choosing to pay their sewer bill or their water bill,” a Birmingham resident said at the public hearing.
“I still don’t understand how a decrease in water usage from the customers don’t relate to savings for the customer,” another concerned customer said to the board.