Tuscaloosa · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Tuscaloosa public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Digester rehabilitation schedule extension
The Hilliard N. Fletcher plant rehab got 120 more days at no extra cost so the biological treatment process in two digesters can stabilize before the third digester is rehabilitated.
SPX Aids to Navigation equipment contract
The airport tower, which currently has no radar, will get ADS-B technology letting controllers track aircraft electronically. Costs are split with the airport's FBO, and federal reimbursement is possible.
Copeland Square Sanitary Sewer Improvements change order
The Copeland Square sewer project wrapped up, but crews hit an unexpected storm pipe conflict that added $36,615 and new junction boxes. Final cost: $796,236.
Nucor Sewer Line cleaning and assessment
A $161,725 contract with Suncoast Infrastructure was up for tentative award to clean and assess sewer lines in the Nucor area. It's routine sewer maintenance that helps prevent backups and failures.
Water and Sewer Fund budget revision no. 1
An amendment to the fiscal 2027 water and sewer fund budget was up for introduction, possibly same-night adoption — affecting utility ratepayers' fund priorities.
WRRF check valve installation
A small but critical repair: a new check valve at the raw sewage pump station keeps sewage flowing the right way at the treatment plant.
Water and sewer budget amendment
An amendment to the water and sewer exhibits in section 19-42 of the code was scheduled for introduction — this governs how water and sewer charges are structured.
Lift Station 3 parking lot lighting repair
The parking lot near the Lampigator train trestle lost power service early last month. The city is paying Premier Service Company $12,405.35 to fix it, funded through facility renewal.
Mercedes sewer force main expansion
Phase 3 of the Mercedes Force Main is a $1.75 million sewer capacity project awaiting final state sign-off before construction starts late this year.
Subdivision infrastructure acceptance — Cloverdale at Hackberry and Bryant at 15th
The city was set to take over maintenance of completed streets and infrastructure in Highgrove Phase 4 and the sanitary sewer lines in Tartan Cove Phases 1, 2, and 6 — a routine but lasting commitment of public maintenance.
Northern Sewer Expansion Project Phase II
The city took over sewer lines for two new subdivisions and is securing appraisals on 29 tracts for the Northern Sewer Expansion Phase II — keeping capacity ahead of growth.
Academy Drive drainage improvements
The city plans to install benches on lots it bought on Academy Drive, spending $10,000 from the District 3 Improvements Fund. This is a neighborhood improvement for that district.
Drainage improvement easements — Eastover and Cypress Point
Several drainage-related items were scheduled: a change order on the waterfall roadway drainage project, an engineering contract for 10th Avenue at 19th Street, and Lincoln Park drainage improvements. Flooding and stormwater concerns in these areas would be addressed if approved.
Water Distribution & Meter Shop Improvements
The city is spending $62,775 on design for a new 3,600-square-foot water distribution warehouse and meter shop upgrades, drawing on the $8.1 million Hopkins fund from the sale of the old Hopkins building.
Coaling Water Authority sewer connection
An agreement spelling out the Coaling Water Authority's use of Tuscaloosa's sewer system. It affects how regional sewer service is shared and paid for.
Tartan Cove sanitary sewer acceptance
The city accepted the finished sewer lines in the final phase of the Havenridge subdivision off Highway 69 South, completing the neighborhood's public infrastructure.
2026 Sanitary Sewer Design Manual adoption
The council was scheduled to consider adopting the 2026 edition of the city's sanitary sewer design manual with related code changes. New sewer standards affect how future development and city sewer projects are built.
Water and sewer project fund transfers
Two budget amendments move leftover money from closed water/sewer projects into active ones, including the Taylorville/McFarland booster pump station upgrade.
Lake patrol shoreline erosion improvements
The city's water and sewer reserve would shift $30,000 to fix shoreline erosion, funded through the lake patrol budget. It's a maintenance issue tied to protecting the lake shoreline.
Lake Tuscaloosa shoreline erosion at TPD facility
The shoreline at the police department's lake patrol facility has been slowly eroding, tilting the building's asphalt approach toward the water. The city will armor it with riprap before a new storage building goes in, at about $30,000 for materials.
Private Lateral Assistance Program contractor change
The city dropped One Call Service of Alabama as its lateral assistance contractor after it failed to respond to the last request. The program continues this year in piecemeal fashion with about $45,000 left, and a new on-call contract is planned next fiscal year.
Restricting out-of-region septic and grease hauling
Tanker trucks have been hauling septic waste and restaurant grease from as far as Mobile to dump at Tuscaloosa's plant. New rules limit acceptance to haulers from counties touching Tuscaloosa plus Shelby County.
MLK sewer and WRRF improvements
Engineering contracts for MLK Boulevard sewer improvements and wastewater treatment lagoon upgrades were on the agenda — the unglamorous work that keeps sewers functioning.
Timberlane drainage project
A tentative $98,680.50 contract with Cornerstone Civil Contractors was scheduled to address drainage problems in the Timberlane area.
Drainage improvement projects
Several drainage-related items were scheduled: a change order on the waterfall roadway drainage project, an engineering contract for 10th Avenue at 19th Street, and Lincoln Park drainage improvements. Flooding and stormwater concerns in these areas would be addressed if approved.
69 South Utility Relocation
The city was set to enter a reimbursable ALDOT agreement and hire Hazen and Sawyer for engineering on a $270,308 utility relocation along Highway 69 South.
Southern Gardens storm drain clean-out
A big storm drain near Southern Gardens clogs with silt and debris every couple of years; this contract clears it, and upstream improvements may eventually end the need.
Stormwater rainfall monitoring
The city is replacing five physical rain gauges with virtual monitoring at 15 locations to better pinpoint flood problems and prioritize drainage projects.
WRRF RAS Pump Improvements funding
The council was set to tentatively award a $1.78 million contract to Mark Johnson Construction for RAS pumping improvements at the Hilliard N. Fletcher wastewater treatment facility.