Fairhope Public Utilities

Investing in Wastewater Infrastructure

Fairhope Public Utilities is investing in the systems that work behind the scenes every day. Explore recent projects, learn how wastewater infrastructure works, and see how these improvements support reliability, responsible growth, and our community.

Infrastructure Investment

2026 Budget and Recent Funding

City funding and outside grant awards are helping Fairhope strengthen its wastewater system and prepare for future needs.

$21.5M

2026 City Wastewater Budget

Budgeted for wastewater infrastructure, reliability, rehabilitation, and capacity improvements.

City Budget

$13.5M

RESTORE Grant Funding

Grant funding for sewer upgrades including lift stations, side stream storage, and collection system rehabilitation.

Grant Funding

$1.15M

ADEM and ARPA Funding

Grant funding for rehabilitation and upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant headworks.

Grant Funding

$820K

RESTORE Grant Funding

Grant funding for new bypass pumps serving 12 lift stations.

Grant Funding

What These Investments Support

Rehabilitation of nine lift stations

Additional side stream storage facilities

Rehabilitation of sewer lines and manholes

Cured-in-place pipe lining for service laterals

Wastewater treatment plant headworks improvements

New bypass pumps for 12 lift stations

Recent Investments

Recent Wastewater Projects

These projects strengthen system reliability, rehabilitate aging infrastructure, and prepare for the needs of our growing community.

Completed

Headworks Improvement Project

A $4.8 million project that replaced aging equipment with modern screening and grit removal systems.

Completed

Lift Station Rehabilitation

Nine lift stations were rehabilitated through improvements to pumps, controls, electrical systems, structures, and supporting equipment.

In Progress

Lift Station Bypass Pumps

New bypass pumps are being installed at 12 lift stations to improve reliability during maintenance and emergency conditions.

Ongoing

Force Main Upgrades

Rehabilitation and replacement of aging force mains help reduce failures and improve long-term reliability.

Ongoing

Collection System Rehabilitation

Sewer mains, manholes, and service laterals are being rehabilitated to reduce leaks and strengthen the system.

Completed

Section Street Force Main Project

Force Mains along N. Section and S. Section Street were installed to improve wastewater flow capacity and reducing the risk of future backups.

System Performance

Sanitary Sewer Overflows

Fairhope Public Utilities continues investing in infrastructure, maintenance, and rehabilitation to reduce overflows and improve system reliability.

Reported Sanitary Sewer Overflows

Annual reported sanitary sewer overflows from 2020 through 2025.

Reported SSO data is available to the public through the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.

Understanding the System

What Is a Sanitary Sewer Overflow?

A sanitary sewer overflow, or SSO, occurs when wastewater leaves the sewer system before completion of treatment. Overflows can result from blockages, equipment problems, aging infrastructure, power outages, or excess water entering the system during heavy rainfall.

How do SSOs Occur?

Aging Infrastructure

Older pipes, manholes, pumps, and equipment require ongoing inspection, maintenance, and rehabilitation.

Inflow and Infiltration

Rainwater and groundwater can enter through damaged pipes, manholes, connections, and other openings.

Blockages

Fats, oils, grease, wipes, and debris can restrict flow and contribute to sewer backups and overflows.

Learn More

Wastewater Education

Select a topic to learn how the wastewater system works and how residents can help protect it.

After You Flush Follow wastewater from homes and businesses to the treatment plant.

What Happens After You Flush?

After wastewater leaves your home or business, it travels through underground sewer lines toward the City's wastewater treatment plant.

Gravity moves wastewater in some areas. In others, lift stations pump it from lower elevations to higher elevations so it can continue through the system.

Fairhope Public Utilities operates and maintains 65 lift stations. At the treatment plant, wastewater goes through several processes to remove debris, grit, solids, and other material.

Trained operators monitor, test, inspect, and maintain the system every day to protect public health and the environment.

Lift Stations Learn how lift stations move wastewater when gravity cannot do the job alone.

What Is a Lift Station?

A lift station moves wastewater from a lower elevation to a higher elevation so it can continue flowing through the sewer system.

When wastewater collects in an underground basin, pumps move it through a force main toward the wastewater treatment plant.

Crews regularly inspect and maintain the pumps, controls, generators, electrical systems, and equipment that keep Fairhope's 65 lift stations operating.

After the Rain Learn why bacteria levels can increase following heavy rainfall.

Why Can Bacteria Levels Increase After Rain?

Rainfall can move contaminants from roads, yards, fields, parking lots, ditches, and other surfaces into local creeks, streams, and Mobile Bay.

Stormwater runoff may carry pet waste, wildlife waste, yard debris, sediment, and other pollutants. Because waterways cross city and property boundaries, bacteria found in one location may be connected to runoff from a much larger watershed.

Residents can help by picking up pet waste, keeping yard debris out of storm drains, reporting sewer concerns, and avoiding anything that could clog or damage the sewer system.

How You Can Help Protect the Sewer System Learn what should never be poured down a drain or flushed down a toilet.

Protecting the Wastewater System Starts at Home

Sewer lines and wastewater equipment are designed to handle wastewater and toilet paper. Items that do not break down properly can clog pipes, damage pumps, and contribute to backups and overflows.

Never flush or pour these items into the sewer system:

Baby wipes or products labeled flushable
Cleaning and disinfecting wipes
Paper towels and facial tissues
Feminine hygiene products
Diapers
Cotton swabs and cotton balls
Dental floss
Cooking grease and oil
Fats and food scraps
Household chemicals or paint

Place wipes and solid materials in the trash. Allow cooking grease to cool, seal it in a container, and dispose of it with household garbage.

Looking Ahead

Planning for the Future

Future projects and policies will focus on reliability, capacity, rehabilitation, and responsible expansion of the sanitary sewer system.

Capacity Improvements

Planned improvements will help the wastewater system manage future flows and support growth in areas that can be adequately served.

Collection System Rehabilitation

Continued inspection, lining, repair, and replacement will strengthen sewer mains, manholes, force mains, and service connections.

Lift Station Improvements

Future projects will modernize pumps, controls, electrical equipment, generators, and supporting systems.

New Customer Connections

System Development Charge Ordinance

The updated ordinance establishes system development charges for new wastewater customers to help recover a portion of the infrastructure investment required to serve future growth.

View SDC Ordinance

Proposed Sewer Service Territory

Map of the proposed Fairhope sewer service territory

Draft Proposal

Defining Where New Sewer Connections May Be Provided

The map represents the proposed sewer service territory outlined in a draft ordinance. The proposed ordinance would prohibit new sewer service connections outside the designated boundary.

A defined service territory would help align future development with available infrastructure and treatment capacity.

Please Note The proposed territory is not currently in effect. It will not become effective unless and until the ordinance is approved and adopted by the City Council.

View Proposed Territory Map

Questions and Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a sanitary sewer overflow?

A sanitary sewer overflow occurs when wastewater leaves the sewer system before reaching the treatment plant. Causes may include rainfall, inflow and infiltration, blockages, equipment problems, power outages, or aging infrastructure.

What is inflow and infiltration?

Inflow and infiltration occurs when stormwater or groundwater enters the sanitary sewer system through damaged pipes, manholes, improper connections, or other openings.

Why are grease and wipes a problem?

Grease can cool and harden inside sewer lines, while wipes do not break down like toilet paper. They can form blockages, damage pumps, and contribute to backups and overflows.

Why can bacteria levels increase after heavy rainfall?

Stormwater runoff can carry contaminants from roads, yards, fields, ditches, wildlife areas, and other parts of the surrounding watershed into local waterways.

What is Fairhope doing to improve the wastewater system?

Fairhope Public Utilities is investing in treatment plant improvements, force mains, lift stations, bypass pumps, collection system rehabilitation, storage, maintenance, and long-term capacity planning.

Is stormwater the same as wastewater?

No. Wastewater comes from homes and businesses and travels to the wastewater treatment plant. Stormwater comes from rainfall and runoff and may carry contaminants into local waterways.

Is the proposed sewer service territory currently in effect?

No. It is part of a draft ordinance that will be presented to the City Council for consideration and possible adoption.