2 minute read
VOLUME 1 | NO 2 The Pipeline Highlights
The Customer Meter Upgrade Project is Here!
Columbia Water began rolling out brand new water meters with advanced capabilities to all Columbia Water customers in June. More than 150,000 meters will be installed in multiple stages over the next three years. The goal is to have 25,000 meters installed by the end of 2019. A comprehensive communications plan has also kicked off to ensure customers are notified when their meters will be replaced.
Advertisement
This Customer Meter Upgrade Project supports the City’s #EnvisionColumbia campaign for bringing innovative services to our community. This project will improve the way we read water meters and provide customers with more insight into their water usage. Some of the benefits include fewer estimated bills, real-time alerts about possible leaks, and the ability to better manage water use.
For information about our project and to see if you are scheduled for the upgrade, please visit our website at www.columbiascwater.net/meterupgrade.
Storm Drain Art Project
Storm drain art at Richland County Library Cooper Branch. (Photo by Richland County)
Columbia Water and Richland County Stormwater Management has partnered with One Columbia to identify two neighborhoods and two Richland County Library branches that are interested in adding some new public art in their community. One Columbia, a non-profit that works to promote Columbia’s arts, culture and history, helped facilitate a call for qualifications followed by design submittal from local artists. Representatives from each of the four “drain” locations voted to select one artist, Jessica Dame, to install a permanent art fixture on their identified drain.
The purpose of the project is to raise awareness of stormwater pollution and the effects that pet waste, lawn clippings and excess lawn chemicals have on area waterways when they enter storm drains. The art installation at the Richland County Library Cooper Branch was completed on July 19. Installations for the Rosewood and Summit neighborhoods and the Richland County Library North Main Branch are scheduled to be completed by late summer/early fall.
Residents can get involved, too! Learn how to participate in storm drain marking events by visiting myriverstartshere.org.
City of Columbia Public Utilities Safety Achievement
Representing City of Columbia Public Utilities were from left: Prentiss Brooks, Wateka Smith, Demetrius Rumph, and James Johnson.
June is National Safety Month and the South Carolina Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) recently announced their 2019 Safety Achievement Award recipients. The Safety Awards programs are a way of rewarding employers for the success of their safety and health programs. Several departments within the City of Columbia performed well and reduced their Recordable Incident Rate (RIR) from 2017 to 2018. The Public Utilities Department was recognized as a top performer, reducing their RIR by 40%. The City of Columbia, Public Utilities Department, along with other safety-minded recipients, received the Palmetto Shining Star, LLR’s top award, for their achievements in safety. The City of Columbia is the only municipality in the state of South Carolina recognized for this outstanding safety achievement out the 39 businesses/employers being honored.
Columbia Water Ops Challenge Team Qualifies to Compete at WEFTEC
From left: Brandon Christensen, Melissa Engle, Candace Mathis, and Dustin Gloor.
Columbia Water’s Ops Challenge team “Fifty Shades of Greywater” took 2nd place in both the Laboratory and the Process Control events at the 2019 WEA Technical Conference & Expo in June. And, placed 3rd at the 2019 South Carolina Environmental Conference (SCEC) in March to qualify for the international event at the Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC) in September. Team members are: Melissa Engle, Candace Mathis, Brandon Christensen, Dustin Gloor, and Captain Sarah Hickman.
