The Pipeline
Banner Upgrades
To better serve our valued customers, Customer Care recently upgraded our Banner customer data system. Here are a few of the new features that will help our representatives serve customers more efficiently:
• Account lookup by phone number through Interactive Voice Response (IVR).
• Payment arrangement setup via IVR.
• Screen Pops – Customer care representatives click an IVR button from the Banner billing system and customer information pops up.
BlueThumb Landscaper Conference
Richland County Stormwater Management and Columbia Water hosted their annual BlueThumb Landscaper conference on Friday, February 10 at the Busby Community Center. A wide variety of topics were presented, including general pesticide safety, invasive species, floating wetlands and more! Continuing education credits were available for pesticide and herbicide applicators.
Rain Barrel and Compost Bin Sale
Columbia Water and Richland County Stormwater management held a pick-up day on March 11 from the latest Rain Barrel and Compost Bin sale. Sixty-nine rain barrels and 20 compost bins were purchased by citizens of Columbia, Hopkins, Elgin, Blythewood, and Richland county. Two easy ways to help nurture our environment are harvesting rain water to help manage stormwater and composting to keep food waste out of our landfills.
VOLUME 5|NO 2
www.columbiascwater.net | 803-545-3300 | 1136 Washington Street – Columbia, SC 29201
The Banner Customer Care Team (L to R): Tiffany Latimer, Shakelia Hill, Ashleigh McLaughlin, Denita Gaulman, Amber Patton, Carmen Clements (Project Manager), Krystal Brown, Ariel Hopkins, Chassidy Wilson, and Jermaine Britton – HansenCx.
Attendees enjoy presentations during the BlueThumb Landscaper conference.
Rain barrel and compost bin sale.
Debris Removal
Bald Cypress Planting at Page Ellington Park
Wastewater Maintenance Special Operations removed debris and litter from the Columbia Canal headgates the first week of February. The team, comprised of Assistant Wastewater Maintenance Superintendent Jody Harley, Foreman Marty Narr, Cole McGrady, Temetrious Brown, and Kevin Dang, also installed a log boom to help mitigate future debris accumulation.
Columbia Water staff and Columbia Park Rangers planted two bald cypress trees at Page Ellington Park. Native species, such as bald cypress, typically require less water and fertilizer than non-native species once established. Bald cypress also host many species of insects and birds. This planting is part of a larger effort launched by The South Carolina Floodwater Commission to plant 10 million trees in 10 years.
MEET CoLUMBIA WATER Alejandra beier
How long have you been with the City of Columbia and what do you do?
I have been with the City of Columbia for 16 months.
I am the Laboratory Manager for the Water Treatment Plants. My team is responsible for testing and helping to maintain optimal water quality for our distribution system. I ensure we get the lab work done so we can meet our regulator’s requirements. I am responsible for anything lab related.
What is the most interesting thing about you that we wouldn’t learn from your work bio?
I am a firm believer in saying what you do and doing what you say you will do. I strive for that every day. I want to always give it my all and continue to improve. I am a native Spanish speaker and I am raising my son bilingual.
What’s the best experience you’ve had working for the City of Columbia?
The best experience working for the City of Columbia has been the honor of serving people. Be it in our organization or our customers. Working in the drinking water industry is the best way I can serve others and knowing that I make a difference.
Pizza or Tacos, and why?
Sushi, but since it was not an option, I’ll go with pizza. Pizza is just simply cheesy goodness, nothing that a few slices cannot cure (three to be precise).
The Pipeline | 2
Columbia Canal headgates.
Planting Bald Cypress at Ellington Park.
MEET CoLUMBIA WATER Tyler Dillman
How long have you been with the City of Columbia and what do you do?
I have been with Columbia Water for 7 months and I am the Chief Plant Operator at the Canal Plant.
What is the most interesting thing about you that we wouldn’t learn from your work bio?
I am not sure what my work bio says, truthfully, I didn’t know I had one here. I recently moved here from California 7 months ago, I am a family man, and a Christian man as well.
What’s the best experience you’ve had working for the City of Columbia?
In the time that I have been here my favorite experience has been getting to know all of my amazing coworkers, we are building an awesome team here at the Canal! I also really enjoy learning the long history and seeing the leftover artifacts from water operations at the Canal Plant over the last 100+ years.
Pizza or Tacos, and why?
Definitely tacos! Authentic Mexican food is my favorite.
Water Distribution and Maintenance WATER DISTRIBUTION & MAINTENANCE
*LLR SC Environmental Certification
Wastewater Treatment Plant
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT
The Pipeline | 3
Employee Name Status Change Effective Date James Stroman Promoted to Water Distribution System Operator C* Alan Nardecchia Passed Water Distribution Level D Exam 7/13/2022 Omekas Moaney Passed Water Distribution Level A Exam 7/14/2022 Brandon Shelley Received CDL Class A Permit 7/18/2022 Christopher Miano Passed Water Distribution Level D Exam 7/22/2022 Andrew Roncone Passed Water Distribution Level B Exam 7/29/2022 Julius Calloway Received CDL Class A Permit 8/25/2022 Tyler Burgess Received CDL Class A Permit 9/8/2022 Omekas Moaney Passed Water Distribution Level A Exam 9/29/2022
Employee Name Status Change Effective Date Robert “Curt” Hemingway Passed Biological Wastewater Treatment Class B 7/14/2022
AWARDS
Columbia Water has so many dedicated, hard-working employees and we are extremely proud to announce the following award winners:
Customer Care
Employee of the Year, Customer Care Field Services
Richard Comisky
Employee of the Quarter, Customer Care Field Services
Julian Rincon Arango
Employee of the Month, Customer Care Field Services
Anton English
Employee of the Month, Customer Care Field Services
Wastewater Treatment Plant
KUDOS
Please know how happy I am to report that the leak problem appears to be completely resolved. Mr. Alan Nardecchia is a Meter Tech for District 5 and he showed up at my door last week. He was absolutely great at resolving my problem. His personality, work ethic and technique were absolutely wonderful and he was a pleasure to be around.
If possible, please forward this email to [his] supervisor with my complete permission. Thank you for your help in resolving our problem.
– Mr. Harrelson
Kudos were received for Customer Care Representative Nodericka Grooms from Mrs. Beaver who stated that Nodericka showed compassion for her situation and was able to explain everything in detail so she understood it clearly. She also mentioned that she will be going to the Mayor’s office to express her gratitude for a job well done by Nodericka. Awesome job Nodericka!
During her first week on the job, Customer Care Representative Patti Ricketts received a shout-out from Ms. Johnson who stated that Patti was very efficient and gave great customer service. She went on to say that she hopes to get her every time she calls in. Patti is already rocking it out. Way to go!
Our very own Customer Care Field Services Supervisor, Chris Miller, received praise from Mr. Skiff who said he would be remiss if he did not pass along how great Chris was while onsite checking his meter. He went on to say that the information Chris provided was extremely helpful. A job well done!
Storytellers & Shutterbugs
Share photos and worksite tales with our community through The Pipeline! We’re always looking for original ideas, timely topics, and project pics. To submit your articles or ideas, please contact us at ColumbiaWater@columbiasc.gov.
STORYTELLERS & SHUTTERBUGS
Jennifer Ellis
Herschel Taylor, Wastewater Lift Station Technician Trainee – Was awarded the Water Environment Association of South Carolina’s 2022 “Collection System Award” at the district and state levels.
Customer Care Field Services Employee of the Year: Richard Comisky (Right) with Customer Care Field Services Supervisor Chris Miller
Customer Care Field Services
Employee of the Month: Anton English (Left)
Customer Care Field Services
Employee of the Quarter: Julian Rincon Arango (Left)
Customer Care Field Services Employee of the Month: Jennifer Ellis (Center) with Deputy Customer Services Administrator Denita Gaulman (Left) and Director of Customer Services Tiffany Latimer (Right)
The Pipeline | 4 Columbia Water 1136 Washington Street, Columbia, SC 29201 www.columbiascwater.net Ph: 803-545-3300 @ColumbiaSCWater
Clem Walker retires from the WWTP after 40 years of Service to the City of Columbia. (L to R) Dir. of Utility Operations Frank Eskridge, Clem Walker, Metro WWTP Superintendent David Wiman, and Assistant City Manager Clint Shealy.
