Columbia Council Approves $285M Bond for Water Pipeline Project

Issue #706

April 14, 2026

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🌤️ Columbia’s Wednesday Weather - Mostly/Partly cloudy w/ high of 86, low of 65

📰 Columbia Council Approves $285M Bond for Water Pipeline Project

🚒 MCFD Responds to Late-Night House Fire on Elk Ridge Road

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

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

Columbia Council Approves $285M Bond for Water Pipeline Project

The Columbia City Council approved up to $285 million in bonds and agreed to pursue a federal WIFIA loan to help finance its proposed water-intake pipeline project. Officials said the move allows CPWS to lock in favorable borrowing terms now, even though the full amount will not be drawn immediately. The utility will first use the remaining $48 million previously authorized before tapping into the new bond capacity.

City leaders and CPWS officials emphasized that the debt would be repaid solely through utility revenues - not city tax dollars - and that annual revenues must remain at least 1.2 times the debt service payments. The project would also be scrapped if total borrowing needs exceed $560 million.

Public commenters and some council members voiced continued concerns about the project’s rising cost, projected annual debt payments of up to $35 million, and whether the city should wait for recommendations from the state’s regional water planning partnership this fall. Supporters argued that outside funding from state or federal sources could reduce the need for future rate increases.

Read the full article from Main Street Maury for a deeper breakdown of the financial plan, the debate among council members, and what happens next with the pipeline project.

MCFD Responds to Late-Night House Fire on Elk Ridge Road

From Maury County Fire Department’s post today…

On Wednesday, 4/8 at 10:37 PM, units were dispatched to a house fire on Elk Ridge Rd.

Responding units: Engines 21 & 28, Tankers 21, 22, 26, Support 20, and Chief 20.

Units arrived to find a home well involved and began a defensive fire attack. A 1,000-gallon propane tank was threatened and was actively cooled. 

Fire investigators are currently working to determine the cause. If you have any information pertaining to this fire please contact the Maury County FD @ 931-388-0035 or via email at [email protected]

Upcoming Local Events

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🤣 Check out the Nashville Comedy Fest (through April 19th) 🤣

Wednesday, April 15th

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Friday, April 17th

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Sunday, April 19th

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🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Tuesday, April 14 

Songwriters Round - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 6–9 PM

Thursday, April 16 

Todd Ciprian - Tito's, 6–9 PM 
Emily Otteson - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30–9 PM

Friday, April 17 

Lydia Rae - Buck & Board, 6–8 PM 
Open Mic - Grinder's Switch, 6–9 PM 
Tom & Robert - McCreary's Irish Pub & Eatery, 7–9 PM
Hannah Geiser - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30–9 PM 
Troy Kemp - Puckett's, 7:30–9 PM 
Six Stringer Revolver - The Boondox, 8:00 PM
Covered Wagon - Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8–11 PM

Saturday, April 18 

The Vineyard Sessions - Natchez Hills Vineyard, 12–6 PM
Michael Edser & The Grayson Band - The Rebel Bar & Grill, 3 PM 
Carson Phillips - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 3–7 PM 
Music on the Porch Series - 106 Pleasant St, Mt Pleasant, 6–9 PM 
Shannon & The Harpeth River Boys - McCreary's Irish Pub & Eatery, 7–9 PM 
Writers Round curated by Michael Farren - The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM 
Walker County - Puckett's, 7:30–9 PM 
Boomerang - The Boondox, 8 PM 
Benji & The Jets - Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8–11 PM 
Bad Dog - Gary's Place, 8 PM–12 AM

Sunday, April 19 

The Sins - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 1–5 PM
Todd Ciprian - Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 2–5 PM

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