Fairhope plans $62 million in utility upgrades, new water tower and wastewater phases
Loading...
Summary
Mayor Sullivan announced $62 million in planned utility system improvements for 2026, a five-phase wastewater upgrade, new wells and water lines to increase capacity by roughly 1,000,000 gallons per day, and a water tower targeted for 2027.
Fairhope City will invest in an extensive program of utility upgrades, Mayor Sherry Sullivan said during the city's 2026 State of the City address, laying out a multi-year plan that the administration says is intended to preserve service capacity and avoid the cost of building an additional wastewater treatment plant.
"So, in 2026, we will do $62,000,000 in utility system improvements," Sullivan said, describing projects that will span multiple years including continued cast-iron gas-pipe replacement and undergrounding work on a 44 kV loop.
Sullivan described wastewater treatment improvements as a five-phased approach and said the city is upgrading force mains and lift stations to meet current demand and future growth. She said the city is planning a new water tower for 2027 and is bringing additional wells and water lines online, including work on Fairhope Avenue and County Road 33, to increase capacity.
The mayor quantified current and projected water throughput: on an average day she said the system typically handles about 7,000,000 gallons, peaks in summer around 11,000,000 gallons, and that recent well and line additions should increase capacity by roughly 1,000,000 gallons per day, bringing the system toward "close to 14,000,000 gallons" of available capacity when combined with other sources.
Officials framed the investments as a cost-avoidance measure: by expanding and upgrading existing infrastructure the city hopes to defer the expense of building an additional wastewater plant, which Sullivan described as "very expensive." She said some projects (cast-iron replacement, the 44 kV loop) will continue for multiple years and require phased designs and construction.
No construction schedules or procurement timelines were given beyond the target year for a new water tower (2027); contract awards, funding breakdowns and specific vendor details were not provided in the address. Sullivan said finance and utility staff can provide more technical details and schedules.
