Columbia Breaks Ground on $95.5 Million Wastewater Plant

Issue #152

18 Jul

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🌨 Columbia Weather - Showers with a high of 83

💦Columbia Breaks Ground on $95.5 Million Wastewater Plant

🪕Saturday: Pickin’ in the Park

📚 Friends of the Library - Spring Hill Book Sale

🎵This Week’s Live Music

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🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Upcoming Local Events

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Thursday, July 18th

Friday, July 19th

Saturday, July 20th

Sunday, July 21st

Columbia Breaks Ground on $95.5 Million Wastewater Plant

City officials broke ground on the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant, marking the beginning of the largest investment project in Columbia's history. The project, totaling approximately $95.5 million, was approved to begin construction on July 15, with a ceremonial groundbreaking held on Monday.

According to Wastewater Director Donnie Boshers, the current facility, built in 1978, has outlived its usefulness. Boshers emphasized that the primary reason for constructing the new plant is the age of the old facility, noting that even without the city's growth, a new plant would still be necessary.

City Manager Tony Massey concurred, highlighting the need for the new plant due to the old one’s age. The project had been considered before the city's recent growth became a pressing issue.

The new plant is expected to be fully operational by June 2028. Boshers explained that transitioning from the old plant to the new one will take over a year, with the first phase anticipated to be complete by April 2027. Phase two will involve a 13-month transition period to ensure continuous service.

Ward 5 Councilman Danny Coleman attended the groundbreaking, emphasizing the plant’s longevity and its role in proactively managing water resources. Coleman remarked that the project is timely and crucial for Columbia's future growth, anticipating it will last 40-50 years.

The new plant will incorporate numerous upgrades and modern technologies, enhancing daily capacity and energy efficiency. The current facility handles an average of 5-6 million gallons per day, with a capacity of 14 million. The new plant is expected to increase this average to about 25 million gallons per day, with a potential rise to 35 million during heavy rain.

Additionally, the new plant will feature advanced filtering equipment, making the removal of tough materials more efficient and environmentally friendly. Boshers noted that the new process will biologically remove nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater without external chemicals, increasing energy efficiency.

Massey highlighted the environmental benefits of the new plant, which will rely on biological processes to treat waste sludge, reducing chemical and electricity use. He described the facility as a 21st-century treatment plant with a superior design.

The project’s cost will impact customer sewer rates. Earlier this year, Columbia City Council approved a rate increase to fund the new plant, marking the first rate hike in over a decade. The increase will primarily affect industrial users and developers, with minimal impact on regular customers.

Coleman explained that the rate increase would mainly target industrial users and developers, resulting in only a slight increase for regular customers.

Saturday: Pickin’ in the Park

Hey Pickin' fans! Mark your calendars for July 20 @ 5 pm at Harvey Park for the next Pickin' in the Park! The lineup includes Matt Meyer, Kiersi Joli, Troy Castellano, Brothers Revolt and Jersey Mike and the Sopranos. Also, La Kocina food truck!

Schedule:

5 pm - Matt Meyer
5:30 - Kiersi Joli
6 pm - Troy Castellano
6:30 pm - Brothers Revolt
7:30 pm - Jersey Mike & the Sopranos

Harvey Park
4001 Miles Johnson Pkwy, Spring Hill

Friends of the Library - Spring Hill Book Sale

The next Quarterly Book Sale is on July 20th from 9:00 – 3:00 pm (2:00 – 3:00 Super Sale).

Members Only Early Bird Book Sale – A special members only book sale shopping event that is held the Friday night before each Quarterly Book Sale from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

Prices:

  • Hardback books – fiction or nonfiction $2.00

  • Paperback books – fiction or nonfiction $1.00

  • Children’s books $ .50

  • New releases $5.00

  • DVDs $2.00

  • Audio books $2.00

  • CDs $ .25

  • Puzzles priced as marked

Super Sale – the last hour of the Quarterly Book Sale (2:00 – 3:00)

You have two options to participate in the Super Sale:

  1. Friends of the Library black book bags:

FOL book bags may be filled for $10.00 per bag.

  1. Grocery plastic bags:

Grocery bags (size of a typical Kroger bag, no larger) may be filled for $2.00 per bag. Bags will be available the day of the sale or you may bring your own.

All other bags are not eligible for the Super Sale.

Also, new releases, puzzles, and games are not available during the Super Sale.

🎵 This Week’s Live Music 🎵

Thursday, July 18th

Oliver Pigott, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM
Todd Ciprian, Tito's Spring Hill, 6-9 PM
Muletown in the Round, Hardison Mill Homestead Hall, 7-9 PM
Kith & Kin Band, McCreary's Irish Pub,

Friday, July 19th

Tom Saffell & Robert Johnson, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM
Ella & Blaine, Grinder's Switch Winery, 7-9 PM
Karli & James Band, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
Downsouth Band, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Saturday, July 20th

The Unforgettables, Puckett’s, 10 AM-2 PM
Grasskickers, Amber Falls Winery, 3-7 PM
Pickin' in the Park, Harvey Park, 5-7 PM
Aaron Sizemore Band, The Tilted Mule, 7 PM
Johnny Jameson & The Empty Pints, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM
Buck Sixx, Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
Friendstore & Moondivers, Ransom Spirits & Provisions, 7:30-10 PM
SBC, The Boondox, 8 PM
L'80s Night, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Sunday, July 21st

Carson Phillips, Amber Falls Winery, 1-5 PM
Dark Waters Project, The Tilted Mule, 3 PM
Cotton Cruz, The Rebel Bar & Grill, 4-7 PM
Mary Lou, Puckett’s, 6-7:30 PM
Brandon Bartley, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 6-8 PM

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