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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">P.O. BOX 6015 <br />COLUMBIA, MO 65205</p></div>
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<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">June 5, 2024</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Aubrey Turner
<br />Public Information Specialist
<br />City of Columbia Utilities
<br />P:573.874.6314
<br />Email:Aubrey.Turner@CoMo.gov</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h1 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">Public input sought on Columbia's wastewater, stormwater systems</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display:inline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The City of Columbia is asking for the community’s help with updating the Wastewater and Stormwater </span><a style="white-space:nowrap" href="http://como.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Final-Columbia-Wastewater-and-Stormwater-IMP_Full-Report.pdf"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Integrated Management Plan</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> (IMP). This plan directs investments to improve wastewater and stormwater infrastructure in the City. The City is asking residents to visit </span><a style="white-space:nowrap" href="https://beheard.como.gov/embeds/projects/24476/survey-tools/21858"><span style="font-weight: 400;">BeHeard.CoMo.gov</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to take the survey to help us provide the most value to the environmental health of our community.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Residents are also invited to attend an open house-style public meeting between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Aug. 21, 2024, at the Activities and Recreation Center, 1701 West Ash St. The public will have the opportunity to engage with City staff regarding the planning process, the status of the 5-year plan and the future of wastewater and stormwater in Columbia.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Sewer and Stormwater Utilities are updating the City’s IMP to target investments in critical areas such as public health and safety, quality of life, sustainable services, regulatory compliance, and water quality in City streams.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The original IMP was approved by the City Council in 2018 and was implemented in permits by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in 2020. It outlines strategies for the City to meet critical wastewater and stormwater utility needs and address regulatory requirements for a 20-year period. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The City established a 5-Year IMP Action Plan that focused on collecting critical data needed to target future needs while implementing Capital Improvement Program projects and necessary operation and maintenance activities.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Among other projects in the past five years, the Sewer and Stormwater Utilities:</span></p>
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<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Spent $9.8 million on sewer rehabilitation in neighborhoods, the Business Loop, downtown and along Bear Creek</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Completed a $7 million rehabilitation project at the Wastewater Treatment Plant</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Inspected 1,680 stormwater outfalls for stormwater contaminants</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Replaced 4,000 feet of failing stormwater pipe</span></li>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">By taking a short survey, residents can help the utilities ensure that the projects in the original plan continue to be appropriate, affordable and aligned with community priorities.</span></p></div>
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<div style="margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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