Birmingham Water Works (BWWB) customers spent more on showers, washing the car, and watering the lawn than seven of Alabama’s ten largest cities in 2023, but spent less than water customers in Montgomery, according to the cities’ billing information.
A customer using 4,000 gallons of water each month – the amount most frequently cited by Alabama water systems as the average monthly residential use in 2022, will pay around $30 for their water bill according to the BWWB website.
Below is a breakdown of water prices in the 10 largest cities in Alabama.
Birmingham
In Birmingham, which is now Alabama’s fourth largest city by population, 4,000 gallons of water will cost $30.44, according to the Birmingham Water Works website.
The average Birmingham consumer uses a 5/8″ water meter at a base rate of $25.92 a month.
Additional charges are:
· 1-3 CCF*: $2.73
· 4-15 CCF: $4.52
· >15 CCF: $7.91
*1 CCF= 748 gallons
Huntsville
In Huntsville, now Alabama’s biggest city by population, 4,000 gallons of water will cost $18.04, according to the Huntsville Utilities website.
The average Huntsville consumer uses a 1″ water meter at a base rate of $12.34 a month.
Additional water usage charges are listed as follows:
· First 3,000 gallons: $1.33 per 1,000 gallons
· Next 3,000 gallons: $1.71 per 1,000 gallons
· Next 6,000 gallons: $1.91 per 1,000 gallons
· Over 12,000 gallons: $3.01 per 1,000 gallons
· For sprinklers: $3.01 per 1,000 gallons
Mobile
In Mobile, Alabama’s second largest city since a recent referendum, 4,000 gallons of water will cost $26.73, according to the Mobile Area Water and Sewer System website.
The average Mobile consumer uses a 5/8-3/4″ water meter at a base rate of $11.77 a month.
Additional charges are as follows:
· $3.74 per 1,000 gallons up to 2,000,000 gallons
· $3.33 per 1,000 gallons from 2,000,000- 10,000,000 gallons
· $2.59 per 1,000 gallons for >10,000,000 gallons
Montgomery
In Montgomery, the state’s third largest city and the state capital, 4,000 gallons of water will cost $43.72, according to the Montgomery Water Works website.
The average Montgomery consumer uses a 3/4″ water meter at a base rate of $43.72 a month.
Additional usage charges begin after 4,000 gallons and cost $8.90 for each 1,000 over up to 46,000 gallons, the site says.
Tuscaloosa
In Tuscaloosa, the fifth largest city in the state, 4,000 gallons of water will cost roughly $15.27, according to the city website.
The average Tuscaloosa consumer uses a 5/8″ water meter at a base rate of $12.27 a month. Customers are charged $2.996 per 100 CCF of water up to 2,500 CCF, water company representatives previously said residents never go above this amount.
Hoover
Most of Hoover, the sixth largest city in the state, is serviced by Birmingham Water Works, according to the city website. See above for billing rates and usage information.
Auburn
In Auburn, Alabama’s seventh biggest state, 4,000 gallons of water will cost $19.92 according to the Auburn Water Works website.
The average Auburn consumer uses a 3/4″ water meter at a base rate of $15.75 a month. The rate covers up to 3,000 gallons of water.
Beyond that amount users are charged $4.17 per 1,000 gallons of water.
Dothan
In Dothan, the eighth biggest city in Alabama, 4,000 gallons of water will cost $14.24, according to the Dothan Utilities website.
The average Dothan consumer uses a 5/8″ by 3/4″ water meter at a base rate of $6.31 a month.
Additional charges are as follows:
· $1.89 per 1,000 gallons up to 3,000
· $2.26 per 1,000 from 3,001-10,000
· $2.60 per 1,000 from 10,001-60,000
· $3.52 per 1,000 for anything >60,000
Madison
In the city of Madison, the ninth biggest city in Alabama, 4,000 gallons of water will cost $23.80, according to the Madison Utilities website.
The average Madison consumer uses a 5/8″ water meter with an access rate of $6.68 a month and an additional usage charge of $4.28 per 1,000 gallons.
Decatur
In Decatur, the state’s tenth biggest city, 4,000 gallons of water will cost $20.85, according to the Decatur Utilities website.
The average Decatur consumer uses a 5/8″ water meter with an access rate of $14.25 per month.
Additional charges are as follows:
· $1.65 per 1,000 gallons for the first 10,000
· $1.51 per 1,000 for the next 10,000
· $1.43 per 1,000 for the next 30,000
· $1.29 per 1,000 for the next 100,000
· $1.18 per 1,000 for the next 350,000
· $1.06 per 1,000 for the next 500,000
· $0.96 per 1,000 for the next 1,000,000
· $0.88 per 1,000 for anything >2,000,000
Read More: How much does water in Birmingham cost compared to other Alabama cities?