Birmingham has some of the cleanest water to drink in the nation. Learn how to stay hydrated this summer

Birmingham Water Works
Birmingham Water Works Rick Jackson, Joi Delaney and Darrion Sistrunk (Pat Byington/Bham Now)

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This summer, Birmingham Water Works is encouraging the public to #drinkupbham and join their Hydrate the City initiative. 

Read on to learn more.

It is Hot Outside

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Drinking water at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. (Pat Byington/Bham Now)

As we all know, summers in the Magic City are excruciatingly hot. In fact, if you are not properly hydrated, it can lead to a number of heat related illnesses. 

“The best way to keep the body healthy and hydrated is through water consumption,” Birmingham Water Works Public Relations Manager and spokesperson Rick Jackson told Bham Now. “Because we have some of the best water here in our water system, you can drink straight from the tap. We want to encourage people to do just that.”

Throughout May and June on Fridays, the Hydrate the City campaign has been visiting places all over Jefferson County—including the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Alabama Farmer Market and Regions Field—to hand out information and swag. Here is the remaining Hydrate the City pop-ups schedule:

  • June 10 Veterans Park in Hoover
  • June 17 Central Park in Homewood
  • June 24 Railroad Park in Birmingham

Birmingham Water Works representatives will be on hand from 10:00am to Noon.

Try Fruit Infusions

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Hydrate the City with water infusions. (Birmingham Water Works)

One thing about these Hydrate the City events—they are not boring. At each, be prepared to try some fruit infusions and learn how to make them for your friends and family all summer long. 

One of our favorite recipes is Strawberry Lemon Infused Water.

Here is the recipe and step by step instructions. First secure 15 strawberries and one lemon:

  1. Wash and finely slice the strawberries.
  2. Slice lemon with rind on.
  3. Place fruits into a 2 liter pitcher and fill with water
  4. Stir and refrigerate for at least 4 hours
Birmingham WaterWorks
Birmingham Water Works Rick Jackson, Joi Delaney and Darrion Sistrunk (Pat Byington/Bham Now)

“Fruit infusions are something all ages can enjoy,” added Jackson. “We show you the different recipes and combinations that you can use to try out when you’re at home  and when you’re traveling with your kids.”

Proud of Our Water in Birmingham

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Birmingham Water Work’s Rick Jackson with mascot. (Birmingham Water Works)

Birmingham Water Works is proud people can drink from the tap. That’s not the case in many communities throughout the country.

“Our staff works really hard around the clock to make this happen,” said Jackson. “Time and time again, we go to the American Water Works Association and we win the taste testing contests against other water utilities. We’re very proud of that. This is great tasting water. It’s something that you can’t put in a bottle,” he concluded.

Do you drink water from the tap in the Birmingham area? Take a pic and tag #drinkupbham. Celebrate our clean drinking water and Hydrate the City!

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Pat Byington
Pat Byington

Longtime conservationist. Former Executive Director at the Alabama Environmental Council and Wild South. Publisher of the Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years. Career highlights include playing an active role in the creation of Alabama's Forever Wild program, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Dugger Mountain Wilderness, preservation of special places throughout the East through the Wilderness Society and the strengthening (making more stringent) the state of Alabama's cancer risk and mercury standards.

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