Columbia, SC – September 30, 2024– Water and sewer service from Columbia Water for its customers has not been interrupted, nor do we anticipate any interruption of service to the public we serve. Both the Canal Water Treatment Plant and the Lake Murray Water Treatment Plant are operating on normal schedule and activities are routine.
Our community has been impacted by the recent Hurricane/Tropical Storm Helene, and the weather associated with this storm event has created some flood level flows in the Broad River/Congaree River basin in addition to leaving many of the residents in the area temporarily without power. Area residents are understandably concerned about utility service in general, particularly those who experienced the flooding events of October, 2015.
We are pleased to confirm that utility operations for Columbia Water serving the City of Columbia and the surrounding metropolitan area are occurring as normal for water treatment and distribution and wastewater collection and treatment. These activities include compliance duties for both drinking water and wastewater, as almost all our work is regulated by either the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services or the Environmental Protection Agency.
The Metro Wastewater Treatment Plant is also operating on normal schedule. At Metro, the road to the plant, Simmon Tree Lane, has approximately 20 inches of water on it (proximate flooding due to the high flows in the nearby Congaree River). In order to accommodate employees who report to the Metro Plant in personal vehicles, we have set up an alternate parking area north of the Plant, and plan to transport employees to and from this area in utility equipment. This parking arrangement has no bearing on the work at the Metro plant, but is a temporary step to ensure the safety of our employees. High water levels in the Broad and Congaree Rivers are also presenting wastewater treatment and collection system challenges, but these are being addressed by Columbia Water staff and have no effect on our service to our customers.
To report any water or wastewater service disruptions, please call our Customer Care team at (803) 545-3300.
Watch the full press conference here: https://youtu.be/CmAw6tOjYtI.