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Columbia’s Engineering Division Offers Design Stage Review of Projects As Part of Wastewater Capacity Assurance Program

By January 29, 2015December 5th, 2018No Comments

Columbia, SC – January 29, 2015

The City of Columbia’s Engineering Division is proud to announce the Pre-Capacity Assurance Program Analysis (Pre-CAP Analysis), a new optional planning level review program for proposed developments that would need new wastewater service. Property owners who choose to have their proposed projects analyzed under this program can determine if current sewer service in the area is capable of handling their project before making a significant investment. While the assessment is non-binding for either the City or the developer—meaning if conditions change, final approval may change—the Pre-CAP Analysis can be a useful tool in helping local developers better plan their investments.

The Pre-CAP is part of the City’s ongoing effort to implement a comprehensive sewer assessment and rehabilitation program for its wastewater system. It is also supports smart growth both for the City and local developers. By being clear with local developers about where the City’s system has capacity before they have even purchased a property, developers can protect their investment while the City protects current sewer customers and the environment. The program also allows the City to work with local developers to prevent sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs)—something which benefits everyone.  The Pre-CAP Analysis is an extension of the current wastewater Capacity Assurance Program (CAP). Under the CAP, all new projects that contribute additional flow are required to undergo review. The City may allow minor connections without a detailed capacity analysis. This review follows specific criteria to determine whether the City’s collection, transmission, and treatment system has sufficient capacity to accept new connections and increased flows. For more details on this program, see the Letter to Local Engineers: City of Columbia Capacity Assurance Program.

Currently, the City has identified portions of Northeast Columbia known as the Crane Creek Basin and areas around Lake Katherine as being capacity limited (see Map of Current Capacity Limited Areas below). Projects are planned or underway and should be completed soon in these areas to address capacity limitations.

To date, the City has completed 15 major capital improvement projects that have relieved or prevented capacity limitations across its wastewater service area (see Map of Capacity Enhancement Work To Date below), with several more in design or underway. The completed projects have contributed to a 70% reduction in the number of sanitary sewer overflows the City has experienced since the 2008/2009 fiscal year.

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Please contact Victoria Kramer with the City of Columbia Department of Utilities and Engineering at (803) 545-3227 or [email protected] if you have questions. If you would like to learn more about improvements to the City of Columbia’s wastewater treatment plant and wastewater collection system, visit www.CleanWater2020.com. If you would like to learn more about the City of Columbia’s Department of Utilities and Engineering, visit www.columbiasc.net/utilities-engineering.