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Columbia County closes out UV advanced-oxidation water project; contract rises to $13.185 million
Summary
The Columbia County Board of Commissioners approved a change order to finish the county's advanced oxidation UV water-treatment project, bringing the total contract price to $13,185,000; staff said the system removes taste and odor compounds and is now operating.
The Columbia County Board of Commissioners voted April 15 to approve Change Order No. 1 with MB Con Construction Company to close out the county’s ultraviolet (UV) advanced-oxidation water-treatment project, taking the total contract price to $13,185,000.
County staff said the system uses injected peroxide struck with UV light to create hydroxyl radicals that break the chemical bonds of taste-and-odor compounds such as MIB and geosmin. Public comment and staff presentation emphasized the system’s goal is to remove those compounds and reduce the risk from harmful algal-bloom–related contaminants.
The move matters because the project addresses recurring taste-and-odor problems in the county’s water supply and is, according to staff, among the first installations of this technology in Georgia. A staff presenter described the approach as “an advanced way to do that. So we’re one of the first people in the country to do this.” Nathan, an engineer who spoke during the meeting, said the process “is the strongest oxidant that we have found on the planet.”
Commissioners were told the original contract was “just shy of $12,800,000.” The change order increases the total to $13,185,000; the transcript includes a disputed line for the change-order amount and staff characterized the final figure as negotiated down in part by liquidated-damage reductions because the contractor missed deadlines. Staff said the product is now installed and operating and that this action closes the project.
The board approved the motion by voice/hand vote; the chair asked commissioners to raise their hands and the motion carried.
The vote and the staff presentation took place during the regular meeting; staff answered commissioner questions and offered to make the project engineer available to explain technical details.
Ending: County staff said they consider the installation complete and working; the county will record final contract documents once paperwork from the contractor is received.
