City staff, residents talk priorities in new water plan

City staff and residents discussed the future of Columbia’s investment into how it protects its water.

The meeting went over what priorities the city would have in its Integrated Management Plan. The plan is designed to help clean the city’s streams of pollution and keep in compliance with the federal Clean Water Act.

Columbia Utilities, with help from HDR Engineering, met with people on Wednesday night at the Activity and Recreation Center to go over what topics the work would focus on. While the plan won’t recommend specific projects, the plan will give the city an estimated price and plan to maintain its sewer and stormwater system.

The city hopes to have the IMP finalized in late summer or early fall. A council work session is scheduled for Aug. 7.

The city currently spend $548 million on its sewer and stormwater utilities. Residents are billed $22 a month for sewer, while stormwater charges vary based on the size of the property. Engineers with HDR estimated that the “optimal” amount the city would need to spend to maintain its service and accomplish its goals at $1.071 billion over 20 years.

HDR broke down the social, economic and environmental goals of the IMP. The plan would aim to “improve public health and safety,” “provide sustainable services for the future,” and “improve water quality.”

Perry Bigsoldier, a member of the Protectors of Water and Land, said he hoped the city focused on keeping the source of its drinking water clean. More wells are planned to draw water at the McBaine aquifer south of Columbia, and Bigsoldier said the city should be careful in its placement. He also feared the new administration of the Environmental Protection Agency would lower standards for water protection.

“That’s very concerning as a resident and a person that’s concerned about the water quality here,” Bigsoldier said.

Sewer and stormwater work will also help clean the city’s streams. Regulators have said runoff from storms has caused the Hinkson Creek to reach dangerous levels of pollution. The city’s latest test of Flat Branch Creek off of Stadium Boulevard have yielded E. coli levels more than six times the amount considered safe.

Stormwater engineer Erin Keys said the city is working on replacing private common collector sewer systems throughout town to help reduce that level. Sewage has sometimes leaked from the old, sometimes neglected, pipes, and storms have washed that raw sewage into the creeks. The city has already completed one replacement project, and will soon start different phases of three other projects.

Bigsoldier said he hopes people become more conscious of how connected waterways are, and how it relates to their drinking supply.