The state took over the water board, and Hoover got no seat
Alabama restructured the water utility serving most Hoover homes over Birmingham’s objection. The new seven-member board has no seat reserved for Hoover, and litigation over the takeover is still open.
Where it stands
Getting worse
Hits residents
8/10
Years covered
2025–2026
Sources
4 linked
- 53%
- Share of treated water the utility reports losing before it reaches customers
- +354%
- Rise in a typical residential bill since 2001, against 79% inflation
- 0
- Seats reserved for Hoover on the new seven-member board
As of 2024
As of 2024
As of 2025
What happened
In May 2025 the Alabama Legislature passed, and Gov. Kay Ivey signed, Act 2025-297, restructuring the Birmingham Water Works Board, which serves roughly 204,301 customers including most of Hoover, into a regional board renamed Central Alabama Water. The act gives one appointment each to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Birmingham’s mayor, Birmingham’s council, the Jefferson County Commission president, and the Shelby and Blount county commissions. No seat is reserved for Hoover. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin sued to block the takeover and that case remains open, alongside other related suits. The utility’s own 2026 bond-market disclosure shows it loses 53 percent of the water it treats and that a typical residential bill has risen 354 percent since 2001, against 79 percent inflation. In March 2026 the new board cut the 2026 capital budget by 54 percent and paused an automated-meter project meant to fix billing errors.
Timeline
Alabama House passes SB 330, 66-27, after more than two hours of debate.
Alabama Reflector (alabamareflector.com) ↗Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin and the city sue to block the restructuring; a temporary restraining order is denied.
CourtListener / RECAP docket 70160466 (courtlistener.com) ↗Gov. Ivey signs the bill into law as Act 2025-297.
Central Alabama Water (caw-al.gov) ↗The utility’s own bond-market disclosure shows 53% water loss and a 354% bill increase since 2001.
WBRC (wbrc.com) ↗Board approves revised 2026 budgets cutting capital spending 54% and pausing an automated-meter project.
Central Alabama Water (caw-al.gov) ↗
Who's involved
Sen. Dan Roberts
Sponsor of the restructuring bill
Gov. Kay Ivey
Signed Act 2025-297
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin
Plaintiff challenging the takeover
Jeffrey F. Thompson
Chief executive, Central Alabama Water
The other side
No City of Hoover statement on the restructuring or on rates was located in any source reviewed, although most Hoover households are customers. Central Alabama Water’s chief executive has said, “These negative trends over more than 20 years will take time to correct.”
Open questions
- No ruling on the merits in Woodfin v. Ivey had been located as of July 2026.
- Whether Hoover’s government has taken any formal position on the restructuring is not established.
Sources (4)
- 1Alabama House passes bill overhauling Birmingham Water Works BoardAlabama Reflector · May 1, 2025 · alabamareflector.com
- 2New Central Alabama Water filing shows water loss crisis, surging billsWBRC · Mar 12, 2026 · wbrc.com
- 3Woodfin v. Ivey, docket 70160466CourtListener / Free Law Project · Jul 29, 2026 · courtlistener.com
- 4Central Alabama Water approves revised budgets for 2026Central Alabama Water · Mar 20, 2026 · caw-al.gov
Last checked July 29, 2026