BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- The Birmingham Water Works Board is attempting to take its message directly to the people with a new internet video showcasing some employees and large-scale customers.

The 4-minute video comes at the same time state legislators consider a plan to expand the Water Works Board and implement new operating rules regarding term limits, board pay caps and mandatory hearings before customer rate increases.

The YouTube video is narrated by Water Works spokesman Rick Jackson.

"We try very hard at providing top-notch service to all of our customers, but we feel there's no one better to tell the story than those we serve and those who put in all the hard work day in and day out," Jackson says in his video introduction.

The video was distributed to Birmingham city officials and state legislators.

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Both the Water Works Board and the city of Birmingham oppose the measures and have hired teams of lobbyists to defeat it.

However, Jackson said the video has no connection to the legislative fight.

"The video is not in response to anything," Jackson told AL.com. "It's simply a pilot example of what my department plans to continue to do, and that's tell our own story."

If the final bill passes the House, the state legislation would expand the water board by creating two seats for Jefferson County members and one rotating member from outlying counties serviced by the utility. Birmingham would maintain a majority with four seats.

Rep. Paul DeMarco, R-Homewood, calls the bill essential to remedying a longstanding "blemish" at the Water Works.

DeMarco cites a critical Water Works-commissioned audit that listed pages of internal problems at the agency.

Water Works officials call state intervention unnecessary, saying the board pay has already gone down and all meetings are public. They stress the system's strong bond rating and water quality ranking.

Board members have said they were shocked by the findings and said they would take time to investigate.

General Manager Mac Underwood defended the utility against the report, saying that while some of the findings were legitimate, much of it was inflated. The Water Works paid $100,000 for the report.

Jackson, a former news reporter for WIAT CBS42 hired by the utility in January, said more promotional videos are forthcoming. He coordinated the film in-house. In the process, Jackson said he wanted to try new approaches and involve the utility's entire staff.

"The YouTube channel was just created Monday but has been something I've been wanting to launch since my arrival at BWWB," Jackson said. "There are also plans to expand our efforts with other outlets of social media just as the rest of the world is doing."