2015 Flood Recovery & Drinking Water Resiliency

Resilient Water Supply

Current Status | Approximately 40% Complete

The installation of a new water supply intake directly from the Congaree River is a project of vital importance for the City of Columbia’s future, ensuring long-term resiliency and reliability for our community’s water needs. With a design capacity of 80 million gallons per day, the intake will provide critical redundancy for the Canal Water Treatment Plant while enabling much-needed repairs to the historic Canal embankment in the most economical and efficient way. This strategic investment strengthens Columbia’s infrastructure, safeguards essential services, and positions the City for sustainable growth and stability for generations to come.

Project Significance

Why It Matters

This project is essential to securing Columbia’s future water supply by creating a resilient, independent intake system directly from the Congaree River. It not only protects residents and businesses from service disruptions but also enables critical Canal embankment repairs and long-term infrastructure stability.

Who It Benefits

This project benefits our residents first and foremost by ensuring access to a dependable and resilient water supply for daily life. It also strengthens our community as a whole, supporting health, safety, and future growth for generations to come.

Strategic Alignment

- Ensures reliable essential services
- Protects and modernizes infrastructure
- Supports long-term community growth
- Strengthens public safety and resilience

Timeline &
Budget

Start Date /
Estimated Completion Date

  • Construction began in January of 2025 with a total contract date of 30 months, ending in June 2027
  • Current Phase / Milestones: Construction to date includes the installation of barges across the Canal to provide access to the Canal embankment, installation of the deep foundation system for the bridge over the Canal, and installation of the coffer dam in the river to allow for dewatering of the intake and pump station site for construction activities
  • Estimated Project Cost: $62 million
  • Funding Sources: $32.5 million of funding through a FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant, with the remainder funded through the water and sewer capital improvement program
  • Contractors / Partners:
    • Contractor:  Ruby-Collins, Inc.
    • Engineer:  Michael Baker and Associates / Hazen and Sawyer

Project Updates & Resources

View previous project updates, photos, videos and more. To view, click on the project titles.

Point of Contact

Gregory Tucker

Special Projects
Phone: 803.545.4309
Gregory.Tucker@columbiasc.gov

Benjamin Wildt

Columbia Water Communications Manager
Phone: 803.545.0466
blwildt@columbiasc.gov