Monday update on the Columbia Canal and water advisories

[gtxvideo vid=”dVyjiVRX” playlist=”” pid=”rkijshg2″ thumb=”http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/dVyjiVRX.jpg” vtitle=”water update”]

Columbia, S.C. (WOLO) — As Columbia city leaders return to normal operations, crews continue nonstop efforts to repair the Columbia Canal. The top priority, completing a temporary dam to block rushing water and allow for construction. According to Assistant City Manager Missy Gentry,”There’s some challenges but we’re making a lot of progress, a lot of head way. As soon as that dam is complete you’ll see the water level in the canal behind that dam begin to rise and our intake pumps will then be accessible.” While there’s no word on a specific date, officials are hopeful the temporary dam will be complete within the week. Despite ongoing work at the Canal city officials assure that water supply is not an issue. “We were bringing in 32 Million gallons a day Sunday into the Canal plant and discharging 20 million into the system. Our reservoir is full… we’re stable and secure,” says Gentry. Meanwhile tens of thousands in the area are still being asked boil water before use as the city experiences its first system-wide boil water advisory. Gentry says, “We do not anticipate lifting it systemwide anytime in the next day or two. We’re going to be several days, weeks out.” As rebuilding efforts continue in the coming weeks and months, Mayor Steve Benjamin says they will do so with the future in mind. “We’re going to have to build back smarter, stronger preparing not just for the next two weeks but for the next generation,” says Benjamin. For up to date maps of areas encompassed in the boil water advisories use the address below: http://www.columbiasc.net/press-releases/101220151606-boil-water-advisory-audubon-oaks-subdivision