Birmingham Water Works Announces Major Overhaul for Lake Purdy Dam
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – In a significant move aimed at improving the area’s drinking water infrastructure, the Birmingham Water Works Board has approved an $85 million overhaul of the century-old Lake Purdy Dam. This decision follows years of discussions regarding the dam’s deteriorating condition and its ongoing water leaks, which have escalated in recent years.
Last week, the board voted 7 to 1 to award $78.7 million in construction contracts to Thalle Construction Company, along with $6.8 million allocated for management services provided by Arcadis, Schnabel, and A.G. Gaston Construction. Tereshia Huffman, chairwoman of the Birmingham Water Works Board, emphasized the importance of this project during the meetings, stating, “Our end goal is to always make sure we are providing safe, affordable, quality water to our customers.”
Historical Context and Contextual Necessity
The Lake Purdy Dam, a crucial source of drinking water for the metro Birmingham area, has been leaking substantial amounts of water for decades. According to historical water works board meeting minutes, the dam leaked approximately 1.5 million gallons per day back in 1980. However, by 2019, this figure had skyrocketed to around 7.6 million gallons daily. Water works officials have repeatedly highlighted the urgency of addressing the structural deficiencies to prevent further water loss and ensure the dam’s functionality.
Engineers have previously estimated that full reconstruction of the dam would incur costs between $75 million and $100 million. Concerns over a potential failure of the structure have been raised, as such an incident could disrupt water delivery services, particularly to the southern portions of the service area.
Project Timeline and Scope
The substantial repair project is slated to commence in November 2024 and is expected to take approximately three and a half years, concluding in April 2028. The work will not only involve repairs to the dam but will also include clearing trees, constructing new roads to facilitate construction traffic, and the diversion of water at the site. Notably, crews will be upgrading nearly two miles of roads leading from Highway 119 to the dam site, further supporting the logistics of this major project.
Funding Details and Broader Initiatives
Funding for this extensive overhaul will come from a federal loan of $171 million awarded in August under the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA). Along with the dam repairs, the Birmingham Water Works plans to utilize a portion of these funds to replace lead service lines, which are crucial in reducing the risk of lead exposure in the community.
Board Member Concerns
While the majority of the board supported the project, the dissenting vote came from board member George Munchus. Munchus expressed concerns over transparency and shared his dissatisfaction regarding what he described as a lack of responsive communication concerning engineering details and diversity participation in the contracts. He had previously sought clarity on the initial discussions regarding the dam’s rehabilitation and stated during last week’s board meeting that his questions were not adequately addressed.
In a further complication, Munchus has initiated a lawsuit against his fellow board members, alleging violations of the state’s open records laws by not providing him with detailed legal expenses. “I hate the tension because a lot of questions that all board members ask are valid,” Huffman remarked in response to the ongoing disputes within the board.
As preparations begin for the Lake Purdy Dam restoration, Birmingham residents can look forward to improvements that promise to enhance water quality and infrastructure integrity throughout the community. The board aims to keep the public informed as the project progresses over the upcoming years.
