The Columbia Wastewater System consists of collection facilities and treatment facilities designed to transport and remove pollutants from the wastewater generated by users within the service area - Columbia's Public Sewer Utility.
Funds to operate the wastewater system are generated by service fees charged to customers of the Columbia Wastewater System. City property taxes do not fund the wastewater system.
Brief History
The Collection System is divided into basins and sub-basins. These basin boundaries are typically defined by the natural topography of the land. Pump stations are used only when wastewater must be transported to another basin. The Columbia Wastewater System currently operates 26 remote pump stations.
The Columbia Wastewater System operates a conventional activated sludge treatment facility. The facility went "on-line" in March of 1979 with a major upgrade in 2000. The Wastewater Treatment Plant has the design capacity to treat 14 million gallons of sewage each day. The facility is staffed 24 hours a day. Our operating employees must have State of Tennessee certification and license based on the conditions of our National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit and the State of Tennessee regulations. Laboratory analysis must be performed daily for self-monitoring reports and for process control. Columbia Wastewater System is continually adapting to new rules and regulations issued from the State and the Federal Governments.