Columbia to sell $27-million in bonds for water treatment project on October 26

Columbia’s much-anticipated McBaine water treatment plant improvement project is a step closer to starting, after the city council voted this week to approve the issuance of $27.6 million in revenue bonds.

Columbia voters approved the water ballot initiative at the polls in 2018.

The bonds will be used for “extending, expanding, improving, repairing, replacing and equipping” the city’s municipal water system. The sale and closing of the bonds is scheduled for October 26, according to the Columbia city council’s packet.

The city council’s two-page report from city manager De’Carlon Seewood says residential customers will start seeing a $2 water rate increase on their November utility bill.