Other energy programs for customers include low interest loans for increasing energy efficiency and load control discounts. Columbia s water now comes from a series of shallow wells in the Missouri River alluvial plain. This means that the water goes through a natural filtration process and is constantly replenished. After water is softened and filtered at the water treatment plant it goes to the pump stations and then to the consumer. Recent expansions at the plant enable water to be pumped at a rate of 24 million gallons a day.
Water is stored in three water towers that provide capacity for peak flows and fire fighting.
Our water system enables Columbia to have one of the highest ISO ratings in the state, which saves customers money on fire insurance. Along with offering electricity and water at a reasonable rate, the Water and Light Department also runs a short-line railroad. In 1982, Norfolk Southern decided that the spur of railroad leading into Columbia was too expensive to maintain. The City of Columbia stepped in and bought the railroad. It was determined that the loss of railroad traffic into Columbia would have a negative impact on the economy and the industries here.