Central Alabama Water has paused construction activities tied to its $28 million repair project at Lake Purdy Dam, halting work late last month as officials reassess the project’s scope and long-term costs.
.jpg)
Contractors stopped work on December 23, following a series of board decisions related to the 116-year-old dam’s structural needs. Earlier in 2025, Central Alabama Water’s newly seated board voted to pause, then resume Phase 1 of construction amid concerns over rising costs and design changes.
In October, the board approved additional testing measures, including dye testing and exploratory drilling, to gain a clearer understanding of the dam’s condition. The revised scope also called for installing a deeper foundation on the dam’s right side, mirroring reinforcement work already planned for the left side.
“Contractors on the Lake Purdy Dam project paused work December 23, 2025, due to the holidays,” CAW CEO Jeffery Thompson said in a statement to WBRC. “Central Alabama Water is working to determine the best path forward and expects to make a recommendation to the board in due time.
Central Alabama Water has an employee onsite at the dam every day of the year. That person performs visual inspections, maintains the operation of the dam and other duties and immediately reports any concerns to management. We have always monitored weather forecasts and released water from the reservoir to accommodate potential heavy rainfall. This is a standard operating procedure for a water utility that owns and operates reservoirs. The Lake Purdy Dam is fully intact, and our customers are completely safe.
Central Alabama Water’s leadership remains committed to creating a world-class utility that customers can trust. Every decision is based on what is best for customers now and in the future. As we stated in December when the board approved the 2026 budgets, management is still evaluating cost savings and plans to present revised budgets in the first quarter of 2026. Customers can be assured that Central Alabama Water will continue to provide exceptional-quality drinking water around the clock.”
Despite the construction pause, Central Alabama Water emphasized that daily inspections and reservoir operations remain ongoing, and officials stressed that there is no immediate safety risk associated with the dam. The utility continues to manage water levels proactively during weather events as part of its standard operating procedures.
A recommendation on how to proceed with the project is expected to be presented to the board in early 2026, following further evaluation of engineering data and potential cost-saving measures.
Originally reported by Jonathan Hardison in WBRC.
.png)
