Water Department

The Water Department is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the existing water distribution system, which consists of approximately 15.37 miles of distribution lines, 843 service lines and water meters, and three storage reservoirs with a combined storage capacity of 1.4 million gallons. Water comes from two separate sources - it is produced from groundwater wells owned and operated by the City of Columbia City, and it is also purchased from the City of St. Helens at a wholesale price. The water is pumped into Columbia City's water reservoirs for distribution into the system. The Department is also responsible for water construction projects. The Distribution Department is funded entirely by charges for service and other sources.

The Water Department is staffed by the Public Works Superintendent, Micah Rogers, and two Utility Workers. The Public Works Superintendent is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations and the development of the City water system, and for supervising the water system maintenance staff. The department can be reached by calling (503) 366-0454, or faxing to (503) 366-2870. The department's mailing address is PO Box 189, Columbia City, OR 97018. The City Shop is located at 1755 Second Place. You can also contact them using our online contact form.

The City has an active Water Source and Development Committee and they meet on an as-needed basis. Click here for Water Source and Development Committee Meeting Minutes.

Click here to review our 2010 Water Quality Report.

PRIOR YEAR ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

The Department completed well rehabilitation work in an effort to resolve bio-fouling issues and increase well yield. The Department continued to investigate options to increase well yield, and plans to lower the pump and transducer in PW Well No. 2 and connect PW Well No. 1 into the new pump house and chlorination facility to increase supply. The Department continued to promote water conservation through public education, the distribution of free water conservation kits to customers, the sale of garden hose nozzles at wholesale cost, the replacement of old and/or malfunctioning water meters, the design of the water rate structure, and system leak detection and leak repair. Water losses for the year exceeded our goal of 10%. Low leak loss adds capacity to our water system, and lowers our wholesale purchase costs for water, and every effort will be made to identify and eliminate leaks from the system. The City is continuing its program to test all backflow assemblies annually, to install new backflow prevention devices with all new service requests, and to implement a retrofitting program that will eventually result in a fully protected water system. The Department continues to install new drive-by meters to upgrade the water meter reading system, working towards a completely automated reading system.

DEPARTMENT OBJECTIVES FOR 2011-12:

To detect and repair distribution system leaks to keep system-wide water loss levels under 10%. Target date: Ongoing.

To negotiate a new Wholesale Water Agreement with the City of St. Helens. Target date: November 2011.

To annually flush the water system and exercise all fire hydrants. Target date: May 2012.

To complete the conversion of the City's water meter system from manual-read to radio-read meters. Target date: September 2015.

To continue to implement Water Conservation measures identified in the City's Water Management and Conservation Plan. Target date: Ongoing

To continue to implement the City's Water Master Plan. Target date: Ongoing.

To continue to implement a cross-connection program to require backflow devices for all new construction and a retrofitting program for existing water connections in an effort to fully protect the City's water distribution system. Target date: Ongoing.

To continue "looping water lines" when possible to ensure fresh drinking water in accordance with the Water Master Plan. Target date: Ongoing.

To continue to meet all requirements and regulations governing public water systems through upgraded facilities and well-educated staff. Target date: Ongoing.

To continue to provide the community with quality water that meets all Oregon Drinking Water Program standards. Target date: Ongoing.

To emphasize special training and education of department employees. Target date: Ongoing.