Columbus Waterworks: Flooding does not impact drinking water treatment

Waterworks’ executive vice president says, due to its elevation, flooding does not impact its drinking water treatment plant. Water quality and supply remain steady despite floods.

However, flooding can make access at Columbus Waterworks’ wastewater treatment facility more difficult.

“The water treatment basins and all the infrastructure is not flooded. So treatment can continue to occur,” said Columbus Waterworks Executive Vice President Vic Burchfield. “But the land around those basins and the infrastructure, that’s what floods during the event.”

Ahead of floods, Waterworks activates procedures to move equipment to higher ground, set up additional pumps and seal off buildings to protect them from rising waters. They then use boats to carry out regular treatment protocols.

In some areas of Columbus, flooding can overload the sewage system. For issues with sanitary sewers, Burchfield recommends calling Columbus Waterworks at (706) 649-3400.  

For flooding and improper draining on local streets,  Burchfield says its best to contact the City of Columbus to handle the situation, by calling 3-1-1.