In June 2017, the Wastewater Collection and Transmission System experienced 10 Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) events. Four of these events occurred during dry weather. The total number of SSOs for the 2016-2017 Fiscal Year is 173. This is a net increase of 18 over the 2015-2016 Fiscal Year which had 155 events.

This year’s increase in SSOs was due to collapsed lines, roots, and wet weather events. The overall increase in SSOs from the previous fiscal year (FY15/16) was 18 SSOs. The total number of SSOs per 100 miles of pipe for the City of Columbia was approximately 15.73.

As of June 2017 (FY16/17), the total SSO estimated volume was 1,696,679 gallons. In comparison, the total SSO estimated volume for the 2015-2016 Fiscal Year was 6,080,061 gallons. This was a net decrease of 4,383,382 gallons.

Remember, Customer Care is there for both staff and rate payers. The sooner we know about it, the sooner we can fix it. If you see or smell a sewer spill, call Customer Care at 803-545-3300. Once inquiries are documented, crews are dispatched in an appropriate and timely manner then tracked for follow-up care.