Columbia, S.C., advances $350 million sewer and water overhaul; new downtown upgrades set to begin
(UI) — Columbia Water has outlined major progress in its multi-year Capital Improvement Program, which targets the city’s aging water and sewer infrastructure, according to WLTX News 19.
Assistant City Manager Clint Shealy said the utility has completed roughly two-thirds of its planned projects so far, representing significant investments to reduce overflows and improve service reliability.
“Over the next seven years, we’ve got a tally of about $350 million of investment to make in our wastewater collection system and treatment system,” Shealy told city officials according to WLTX News 19.
Among the latest approvals is a $16 million contract for East Rocky Branch Phase 1 — a downtown project that will replace decades-old sewer lines near the University of South Carolina and Five Points. Shealy said the upgrades will expand capacity and support growth across central Columbia.
Another major project nearing completion is the $65 million Lower Crane Creek Storage Facility in North Columbia. The new system features an 8-million-gallon holding tank and a high-capacity pump station capable of processing up to 25 million gallons of wastewater per day during storms. The facility aims to reduce sewer overflows by capturing excess water for later treatment, as reported by WLTX News 19.
Ruby-Collins assistant superintendent Luke Brummeler said the storage structure is about 90% complete, with mechanical work underway. The project is scheduled for completion in August 2026, while downtown construction on East Rocky Branch is expected to begin in February and last about 18 months.
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