Is Birmingham’s tap water safe to drink?

Yes, Birmingham’s tap water meets or exceeds all federal and state drinking water standards and is safe to drink. Birmingham Water Works conducts extensive testing, with more than 399,000 tests performed annually on over 300 different contaminants.

The utility employs multiple barrier treatment processes at its four water treatment plants to ensure water quality and safety. Each stage of treatment—from chemical addition and coagulation to filtration and disinfection—is carefully monitored. Birmingham Water Works has never been cited by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for violating any water quality standard, demonstrating its commitment to providing safe, high-quality drinking water.

What is being done about PFAS in Birmingham’s water?

Birmingham Water Works regularly monitors for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in its water supply and treatment plants. Here’s what you should know:

1. Current Status: According to Birmingham Water Works, testing has not detected PFAS chemicals in water sources or finished water above any EPA or ADEM regulatory limits.

2. Ongoing Monitoring: The utility continues to test for PFAS compounds as part of its extensive water quality monitoring program.

3. Future Planning: Birmingham Water Works is monitoring EPA’s evolving guidance on PFAS chemicals and is prepared to implement necessary treatment modifications if required to meet new federal standards.

4. New Regulations: In April 2024, the EPA finalized the first national drinking water standards for PFAS. Water utilities will have until 2029 to comply with these new standards.

The utility remains committed to water quality and will adapt its treatment processes as needed to address emerging contaminants like PFAS.

Where does Birmingham’s water come from?

Birmingham’s water comes from several surface water sources, each serving specific treatment plants in the Birmingham Water Works system:

• Cahaba River and Lake Purdy Reservoir: Serve the Shades Mountain Filter Plant, which can process up to 80 million gallons daily. The Cahaba River is a critical watershed that Birmingham Water Works actively works to protect.

• Sipsey and Mulberry Forks of the Warrior River: Supply the Western Filter Plant, adding diversity to Birmingham’s water sources.

• Inland Lake: A major reservoir that serves as a water source for both the Putnam and Carson Filter Plants. This lake is also fed by the Sipsey Fork of the Warrior River.

• Sipsey Fork of the Warrior River: Provides water to the Carson Filter Plant, completing Birmingham’s multi-source water supply network.

This diverse source approach enhances system reliability, particularly during drought conditions when certain water sources may be stressed. Birmingham Water Works has implemented watershed protection measures to preserve these water sources, including limiting development near reservoirs and rivers.

How is Birmingham’s water treated?

Birmingham Water Works uses a comprehensive multi-step treatment process at its four filtration plants:

1. Intake: Water is drawn from rivers and reservoirs, with screens removing large debris like logs, fish, and plants.

2. Chemical Addition/Coagulation: Chemicals are added to:

– Kill germs and microorganisms

– Improve taste and odor

– Cause particles to stick together (coagulation)

3. Mixing and Flocculation: Water and chemicals are rapidly mixed, allowing particles to combine into larger clumps called “floc.”

4. Sedimentation: The water flows into sedimentation basins where the floc particles settle to the bottom.

5. Filtration: The partially clarified water passes through filters to remove remaining particles and impurities.

6. Disinfection: Final treatment with disinfectants ensures the water is free from harmful bacteria and viruses before distribution.

Throughout this process, water quality is continuously monitored by plant operators and automated systems to ensure it meets all safety standards.