About Us

Innovators in Water Systems You Can Trust

Central Alabama Water provides reliable, clean and safe water. We work hard to provide great service at a fair price while protecting the environment. Our focus is on meeting the needs of our customers and ensuring sustainable growth for the region.

Caring for Our Customers Is Our Passion

Central Alabama Water serves high-quality drinking water to customers in its five-county service area. As the largest water system in the state, it focuses on providing the best water service to customers at an affordable price.

As a national leader in innovative water service, Central Alabama Water prioritizes efficient operations in addition to environmental and community stewardship. It strives to be a world-class utility focused on customer service, fiscal responsibility and sustainable growth.

How We Operate

Central Alabama Water is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors. The board is responsible for providing strategic direction to executive management, adopting the utility’s operating and capital budgets, approving contracts and settling rates. These members are appointed as follows:

One director by the Governor of Alabama
One director by the Lt. Governor of Alabama
One director by the Birmingham City Council
One director by the Blount County Commission
One director by the Mayor of the City of Birmingham
One director by the President of the Jefferson County Commission
One director by the Shelby County Commission

Our Mission

Central Alabama Water is committed to providing reliable, equitable, cost-effective delivery of high-quality water and services while protecting public health and environmental resources for current and future generations.

Our Vision

Nationally recognized for local excellence in water quality and service delivery.

Community First From Day One

1872
The Elyton Land Company establishes a water system in Birmingham and begins constructing a pump station by Village Creek.
1873
On May 13, water flows from the new reservoir on 14th Avenue and 23rd Street North into downtown Birmingham for the first time.
1885
The Elyton Land Company organizes the Birmingham Water Works Company and transfers its water system to the new corporation.
1887
A canal is built to carry water from Five Mile Creek through Tarrant and Inglenook to the North Birmingham Pump Station.
1890
The Cahaba Pumping Station, completed nine miles south of the city, pumps water from the Cahaba River into the reservoir on Shades Mountain.
1899
The Birmingham Water Works Company is sold to the American Waterworks and Guarantee Company, which becomes the American Waterworks Company.
1903
Filter plants are added to both the North Birmingham Pump Station and Shades Mountain Reservoir.
1909
A dam is constructed on the Little Cahaba River near Leeds, creating Lake Purdy to support Birmingham’s growth.
1939
The Putnam Filter Plant is added to the system.
1951
The City of Birmingham purchases the water system and establishes an independent water board.
1962
The Western Filter Plant is built.
1972
The Carson Filter Plant in Pinson is established to treat water from Inland Lake in Blount County.
1975 – 1985
The Western Filter Plant undergoes expansions, reaching its current capacity of 60 million gallons per day.
1986
The board’s name is changed to the Waterworks and Sewer Board of the City of Birmingham.
1990s
The system adds the Industrial Waterworks, the EnviroLab, and the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system.
2008
The Carson Filter Plant is expanded.
2009
The board’s name is officially changed to the Water Works Board of the City of Birmingham.
2018
Construction begins on a new filter building at the Shades Mountain Filter Plant, designed to match the 80 million gallons per day capacity of the existing filter buildings.
2025
The Alabama Legislature passes Senate Bill 330 which is signed into law May 7, 2025, as Act 2025-297. The act dissolves the Birmingham Water Works Board and establishes a new entity to govern the regional water utility. On June 24, 2025, the board votes to do business as Central Alabama Water.

The Faces of Central Alabama Water

At Central Alabama Water, our team is dedicated to being open and honest while working hard to serve customers From our Board of Directors to our staff, we all work together to make sure your water is safe and reliable. Get to know the people who help make it happen.

Meet the Team

This is an incredible opportunity to work alongside the Central Alabama Water team to serve our customers.

Jeffrey F. Thompson

Chief Executive Officer

How can Central Alabama Water serve you?

Get in Touch