City’s “Engineer of the Year” Also Honored During City Hall Ceremony

The potential next generation of City of Columbus engineers today got a glimpse at how they could help build the City future infrastructure during annual Engineer For A Day Activities. Twenty central Ohio high school students considering college degrees in engineering met face-to-face with current city engineers and toured city facilities as part of the program. The program showcases showcase careers in public engineering to local students in the process of making career choices.

Nationwide Insurance’s on-going commitment to operating in an environmentally friendly way has been
recognized by Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman through its designation as a  GreenSpot.

GreenSpot is the city of Columbus’ voluntary program to inspire and educate those in the community who want to improve the environment. With about 7,600 of its more than 33,000 employees working within the  city, Nationwide is now the largest member company.

Fats, oils & grease can clog sewers, resulting in basement backups and costly repairs .

A reminder this holiday season: do not pour cooking fats, oils and grease (FOG) down drains or toilets while preparing Thanksgiving and other holiday meals. FOG will clog sewer pipes, which can then cause sewer overflows and basement backups. Cleaning a FOG sewer clog in the public right of way costs the city at least $1,500 per job; property owners are responsible for cleaning clogs in sewer lines on their own properties.

As City Crews Work To Clear Snow And Ice From Catch Basins, Mayor Asks Residents To Do Their Part To Reduce Flooding

In the aftermath of last week’s snow and ice storm, Department of Public Utilities crews are working to clear melting ice and snow from catch basins. With temperatures expected to reach near 50 degrees this weekend, Mayor Michael B. Coleman is asking residents to step up and do their part by shoveling walks and clearing snow and ice from catch basins.

SWACO will offer City of Columbus residents six (6) additional free Saturday yard waste collections beginning Saturday October 31st. The collections will continue on Saturdays through December 5th from 9am until 3pm. The new sites are in addition to nine (9) other locations available now for Columbus and Franklin County residents.

Regular tests assure reliability in the event of actual flooding

Department of Public Utilities crews will conduct a regular test of sections of the Franklinton Floodwall that crosses State Route 315 this Sunday, September 27. The day and time were chosen to impact the fewest drivers possible while allowing the necessary work to be completed.

Annual Report Released to Water Customers

The City of Columbus’ annual drinking water report shows that the water pumped to more than one million customers again meets or surpasses all minimum requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act and all other state and federal health standards. The 2008 Drinking Water Consumer Confidence Report is currently being mailed to all water customers who are served by the Columbus Department of Public Utilities. The report provides details  about the city's drinking water quality from its three treatment plants, the treatment process and source water information.

Volunteers can make a difference and join city’s green effort.

Local groups, businesses and residents are encouraged to volunteer and “hit the streams” during June for the city’s eighth annual Central Ohio River Pride Month. The events, coordinated by the Columbus Department of Public Utilities, offer more ways for volunteers to “get green” and make a difference along area  waterways. Mayor Coleman encourages individuals and groups to get involved and help remove the litter that ends up along river and stream banks through rain and melting snow.

Two Sanitary Sewer Overflow Locations Removed in 2008

The Columbus Department of Public Utilities continued to make progress on reducing sanitary sewer overflow locations in 2008 through ongoing capital improvement projects and preventative maintenance programs. The results are contained in the 2008 City of Columbus Sanitary Sewer Overflow and Water in Basement Report submitted to the Ohio  Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA). Consent order agreements between the city and state require the report to be filed annually with the agency. The city also has improvements underway to reduce overflows from heavy storms in older areas built with combined sewers through the 40-year, $2.5 billion Wet Weather Management Plan, which was recently approved  by the OEPA and began in 2005.

Mayor Michael B. Coleman and City Council are pleased the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has given final approval to the City’s $2.5 billion, Wet Weather Management Plan (WWMP). The plan, once completed, will dramatically reduce sewer overflows and basement backups during heavy rains and result in cleaner local waterways. The WWMP, submitted to Ohio EPA July 1, 2005, will bring the City into compliance with two consent orders signed with the State of Ohio in 2002 and 2004.

The City of Columbus’ new $106 million Headworks facility at its Southerly Wastewater Treatment Plant has earned a national award for its ability to save ratepayers’ money and reduce sewer overflows. The American Society of Civil Engineers today presented its 2008 Ohio Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement (OCEA) Award to the Department of Public Utilities. The new Headworks, opened in December 2007, is a keystone of the city’s 40-year, $2.5 billion Wet Weather Management Plan (WWMP).