09.04.2023

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Today’s Forecast

66º | Heavy thunderstorms | 90% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:30 a.m. | Sunset 5:32 p.m.

A splash of Cola’s water history

A look back on Columbia, SC’s drinking water history

With Columbia being one of the first planned cities in the US, it is no wonder that Cola’s drinking water also has a long history. Today, Columbia’s water system serves 375,000 customers in the Midlands from two sources: the Broad River Diversion Canal + Lake Murray. Combined, the sources produce an average of 60 million gallons daily.

Let’s dive into the 200+ year history of our water system and take a glance at the modernization currently underway.

Back to the beginning

While Columbia wasn’t chartered as a city until 1854, our water system dates back to April 1821, when a 12-horsepower steam engine manufactured in Manchester, England, began pumping water from a spring in (what is now Finlay Park) to a reservoir in Arsenal Hill.

view of columbia — View from the water tower on Arsenal Hill looking towards the State House. | Photo via Richland Library Digital Archives

Cola’s water timeline

1818 | Thanks to an act and resolution from the SC General Assembly, lawyer and part-time school teacher Colonel Abram Blanding (the namesake of Blanding Street) was contracted to finance and construct the town’s first waterworks.

1821 | In April 1821, water began to flow for the first time. As reported by the Camden Gazette,

“The springs in the valley furnish an abundant supply for a population three times as large as Columbia now contains. The water is pure, cool and delicious issuing through sand from the bottom of a range of hills rising more than 100 feet above the point of their discharge.”

2015 | During the week of October 3-4, Columbia experienced a “thousand-year flood” that caused a 60 ft breach in the Columbia Canal, one of the city’s main sources of drinking water. A temporary rock dam was built as an immediate fix and is still in place today.

Today, Columbia Water continues to modernize facilities and move our system into the future by installing digital meters, replacing aging equipment, and conducting ~200,000 certified lab samples per year at the Canal Water Treatment Plant to ensure Soda Citizens drinking water is safe and up to standards.

With the capacity to provide ~159 million gallons of clean water daily, our facilities are working to ensure for future growth in the Midlands.

Learn more about our H2O

Asked

Kid-friendly bars and breweries are:

A. A lifesaver for me and my family
B. A fun place to gather with a group of friends
C. Places I actively avoid

Did you know you could be the winner of a $50 gift card to our online shop, Six & Main? Answer this week’s survey questions for a chance to win!

Submit your answer

Events

Monday, Sept. 4

Chapin Labor Day Festival | Monday, Sept. 4 | Various locations, Chapin | Free | Returning tothe Chapin Labor Day festivities for this year is the Taste of Chapin, Chapin’s version of Restaurant Week.

Tuesday, Sept. 5

Book Launch for It Ends With Knight by Yasmin Angoe with Elise Blackwell | Tuesday, Sept. 5 | 6-8 p.m. | All Good Books, 734 Harden St., Columbia | Free | A Q+A and book signing will follow the book release.
Sip & Plant Workshop: Fall Planters | Tuesday, Sept. 5 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Gardener’s Outpost, 1211 Franklin St, Columbia | During this 90-minute sip-and-plant workshop, you’ll prepare your own fall planter in a 14″ container that you’ll take home with you.

Wednesday, Sept. 6

Blythewood Farmers Market | Wednesday, Sept. 6 | 4-7 p.m. | Doko Meadows Park, 171 Langford Rd., Blythewood | This market has food, live music, and special promotional events throughout the year (don’t miss the free wine tasting every 3rd week).

Thursday, Sept. 7

First Thursday | Thursday, Sept. 7 | 6 p.m. | Main Street, Columbia | Free | On the first Thursday of each month, businesses in the Main Street District keep their doors open late, offering a mix of specials, events, entertainment, and more.

Calendar events here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Announced

Capital City/Lake Murray Country revealed the dates for the inaugural Southeastern BBQ Showdown. It will be held on June 14-15, at Segra Park. Touted as the first “Food Sport Competition Event” in a U.S. sports complex, the event aims to attract tourists with BBQ competitions, music, and fireworks.

Eat

The Hoot, the new neighborhood bar and restaurant in the Rosewood neighborhood, is offering free plates of peanuts to patrons who engage in local activities. Known as the “Peanut Participation Prize,” the offer requires the purchase of two drinks and aims to encourage community involvement.

Health

According to the city’s Speaking Sustainability newsletter, Cola residents should brace for longer allergy seasons, as a recent study shows a 20-day extension and 21% increase in pollen concentrations since 1990. Local experts advise using HEPA filters and checking forecasts to manage symptoms.

Today Is

Labor Day — an annual federal holiday, first designated in 1894, that honors the contributions of workers in America. Take part in local celebrations like the Chapin Labor Day Festival parade beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Concert

Get ready to rock, Cola. The City of West Columbia is hosting the first-ever Meeting Street Music Fest on Saturday, Sept. 16 from 4-8 p.m. Bonus: It’s completely free to attend. See the lineup.*

Eat

It might be PSL season, but it’s still summer for a few more weeks — and you don’t need an ice cream maker to make this sweet and tangy summertime treat. Pro tip: Use local blueberries for the most flavor.*

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The Wrap

David Stringer wearing a dark button-down shirt

Today’s edition by:
David

From the editor

Lexington’s Lowcountry Junior Tennis Team had the lucky opportunity to travel to New York and hit balls at the renowned Billie Jean King National Tennis Center during the US Open last Friday. Hopefully, this memorable experience could mark the start of their journey back to center court someday.

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