City approves $4M waterline cleaning project with Blair Construction

The Columbia County Public Works and Engineering Services Committee met on June 24, 2025, to discuss significant infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing water quality and reliability for residents. A key focus of the meeting was the approval of a waterline cleaning project, which is set to improve the county's water system and address ongoing complaints about dirty water.

The project, which received a bid of $4,021,444.78 from Blair Construction, involves the installation of permanent pig launch and receiving stations. These stations will facilitate a cleaning process using sponge-like devices that will be pushed through the water lines to remove buildup and debris. This initiative is expected to drastically reduce, if not eliminate, complaints regarding water quality, thereby boosting consumer confidence in the county's water supply.

During the meeting, officials acknowledged that while the project came in slightly over budget due to rising material costs, they believe the bid represents a fair price for the necessary work. The construction will primarily focus on major water lines leaving the Jim Blanchard Water Treatment Plant, with plans to continue cleaning smaller lines in the future.

Residents may notice some temporary disturbances during the cleaning process, including potential instances of dirty water as the lines are disturbed. County officials assured the public that they would communicate effectively through social media to keep residents informed about the work and any expected impacts.

In addition to the waterline project, the committee also discussed a successful rebid for three generators, which resulted in a lower cost of $101,101.47 from High-tech Power Systems. This rebid was necessary due to previous noncompliance issues with bidders, and the new bid reflects a significant savings for the county.

Overall, the decisions made during this meeting are poised to enhance the quality of life for Columbia County residents by ensuring a cleaner and more reliable water supply, while also improving the county's emergency preparedness with the new generators.