In the wake of severe drought conditions affecting much of the state, Birmingham’s water utility is taking extra steps to conserve water.
The Birmingham Water Works says it plans to implement Stage Three of its drought management plan. That includes a surcharge of 200 percent for both residential and non-residential customers for excess water use. Those surcharges are expected to go into effect November 19.
Birmingham Water Works officials say residential customers using more than 8,977 gallons of water per month will be subject to a surcharge for any water used above that amount. The surcharge is billed separately and in addition to regular water charges. That means customers looking to water their lawns during the drought might be paying three times as much on their water bills to do so.
Non-residential water customers will be assessed the 200 percent surcharge for any water use exceeding 110 percent of their monthly annual average billing amount.