Birmingham Water Utility Employee Theft: Facts & Next Steps

What Is Confirmed About the Employee Theft Reports?

On June 3, 2025, WBRC reported that Birmingham Water Works management had investigated allegations involving copper and copper-related materials taken from a utility warehouse.

The utility said its internal investigation had identified employees who worked together to bypass established supply verification and documentation procedures for financial benefit. The matter was referred to Birmingham Police.

A source cited by WBRC estimated that the value of the missing copper could approach $2 million. That figure was not confirmed by police in the original report and should not be treated as a final audited loss or court-established amount.

Original reporting: WBRC, June 3, 2025.

Timeline: Birmingham Water Works Theft and Audit Findings

The timeline describes reported developments, not a finding that every person investigated committed a crime. Criminal responsibility must be established through the applicable legal process.

What Did the Alabama State Audit Actually Find?

The Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts conducted a limited review of the former Birmingham Water Works Board covering May 1, 2023, through May 31, 2025. Its report, numbered 26-058, was filed December 5, 2025.

1. Missing Inventory and Purchasing Controls

Auditors found that the board lacked formal procedures for tracking inventory, equipment purchases and equipment usage. Departments often relied on informal or undocumented operating practices.

The report said these weaknesses contributed to at least two known incidents of potential employee theft.

2. Purchasing Card Oversight

The review found widespread use of purchasing cards, informal spending rules and inadequate records for some purchases. Equipment and tools were not consistently inventoried.

3. Unapproved Sick-Leave Payment

Auditors documented a $245,735.66 payment for unused sick leave to a former general manager in July 2024. They found that the payment differed from the board’s policy and that no board approval or explanatory documentation was available.

This was an audit finding about policy compliance. It should not be described as a criminal theft conviction.

4. Competitive Bidding and Board Allowances

The report also identified inadequate documentation supporting compliance with Alabama competitive bidding requirements and expense allowances paid to some directors despite attendance issues.

Read the official Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts report (PDF), especially the executive summary and the section titled “Lack of Policies and Inadequate Internal Controls.”

Did the Employee Theft Affect Customer Water Bills?

There is an important difference between theft from a utility warehouse and a charge appearing on an individual customer’s water account.

The public reporting reviewed here does not establish a direct connection between the alleged copper theft and any particular customer’s bill, meter reading, water rates or personal financial information.

Customers should not assume their water bills are fraudulent solely because of the investigation. However, anyone noticing an unexplained payment, unfamiliar account change or unusual charge can request an account review.

Check Your Account in Five Steps

1. Open the official billing page. Visit Central Alabama Water Payment and Billing.
2. Sign in to your account. Follow the official customer portal link. Register for online access if you have not used the portal before.
3. Review recent transactions. Compare payment history, posted credits, current balance and previous bills with your bank statements or receipts.
4. Check water usage. Compare the billed meter consumption with previous months. A high bill could also be caused by a leak, an actual increase in water use or a billing error unrelated to the employee investigation.
5. Report unexplained differences. Call 205-244-4000, identify the billing period and amount involved, and request an explanation or account review.

What to Do If Someone Claims to Be a Water Utility Employee

News about employee misconduct can make suspicious calls or unexpected visits more concerning. A reported warehouse theft, however, does not mean every utility employee or contractor is involved in wrongdoing.

Use these precautions if someone approaches you about a bill, meter inspection, account verification or payment.

1. Ask for identification. If someone arrives at your property claiming to represent Central Alabama Water, request their name, identification and reason for the visit.
2. Verify independently. Call the utility’s published Customer Care number, 205-244-4000. Do not rely solely on a telephone number supplied by an unexpected visitor or caller.
3. Protect account credentials. Do not give an unsolicited caller your online password, payment-card details, full banking credentials or one-time verification codes.
4. Use official payment routes. Make payments through the utility’s website, approved phone system or authorized payment locations.
5. Keep evidence of suspicious requests. Save text messages, emails, payment instructions, caller information or receipts where available.

How to Report Suspected Theft, Fraud or Billing Misconduct

The correct reporting route depends on the problem. A billing disagreement, suspected impersonation and evidence of an actual crime are not necessarily handled by the same office.

Before Making a Report

1. Write down what happened and the dates involved.
2. Identify whether the matter concerns utility property, a personal account, a payment or an unexpected visitor.
3. Collect legitimate supporting records such as emails, transaction confirmations, photographs or receipts.
4. Contact the appropriate utility office or law-enforcement agency.
5. Request a complaint or incident reference number and retain it for follow-up.

If reporting a suspected criminal act, provide facts you personally know and clearly separate them from information heard from others. Avoid publicly accusing a named individual without reliable evidence.

Official police contacts: Birmingham Police Department.

How to Pay a Central Alabama Water Bill Safely

Customers still need to manage their regular accounts while investigations or audits are underway. Do not ignore an overdue bill because you have read news about the utility.

According to the utility, online and phone payments before 7 PM generally post the next day; payments after 7 PM may take up to 48 hours. Walmart Money Center payments are described as posting immediately.

How to Follow the Investigation Without Spreading Rumors

Someone searching for Birmingham water utility employee theft may want to know whether anyone was arrested, charged, convicted or required to repay losses.

Those are separate legal milestones. An internal investigation or audit does not automatically establish an arrest, criminal charge or conviction.

The reports cited here establish that Birmingham Police investigated alleged theft and that the state later documented serious inventory-control failures. They do not provide a verified final criminal disposition for every individual involved.

Where to Check for New Verified Information

• Utility statements: Central Alabama Water official website.
• Audit findings: Alabama Special Report 26-058.
• Police information: Birmingham Police Department.
• Original warehouse-theft reporting: WBRC June 2025 report.
• Second suspected theft: WBRC July 2025 report.
• Audit coverage: WBRC December 2025 report.

For an official criminal outcome, look for a documented court filing or statement from the responsible law-enforcement or prosecuting authority rather than treating a social-media claim as proof.

Birmingham Water Works Employee Theft FAQs

What Customers Should Remember

The Birmingham Water Works employee theft investigation raised concerns about protection of utility assets and accountability. The Alabama state audit subsequently identified significant weaknesses in inventory management, purchasing and oversight.

For an individual customer, the practical response is to verify account details, use authorized payment systems, report suspicious activity and rely on documented investigation or court information rather than rumors.

Questions about your personal account should go directly to Central Alabama Water Customer Care or 205-244-4000.