Columbus Water Works (CWW) services

Clean drinking water is critical to the quality of life of any community, and Columbus Water Works is dedicated to providing a consistent supply to more than 65,000 homes, businesses, and industries every day. Environmentally-sound wastewater treatment is equally important to a community`s health and well-being, and CWW offers collection and treatment of wastewater from more than 62,000 customer locations daily.

Treatment of wastewater is essential to prevent contamination of waterways, drinking water sources, and other natural water resources. Wastewater is `used` water that goes down the drains of homes, businesses, and industries every day. Many of your typical activities contribute to wastewater, such as flushing your toilet, running your dishwasher and washing machine, and even taking a shower. From these drains, wastewater travels through a network of underground pipes known as the collection system. To make use of the natural force of gravity, sewer pipes are often built along the natural slope of the land so the wastewater will flow downhill in them toward a treatment facility. In low lying areas where gravity flow is not possible, pump stations are used to force wastewater uphill to the appropriate treatment facility.

Managed Maintenance is one of the newest departments of the Columbus Water Works organization. We currently employ nearly 40 professionals, who make up the following four groups:

The CWW laboratory, also known as the Department of Water Quality Monitoring, employs 14 people. Certifications in the fields of Water and Wastewater are required for all employees including either a drinking water and/or a wastewater license. Testing is performed on drinking water and wastewater samples.

When it comes to protecting the environment, Columbus Water Works has been leading the way in the community for decades. In the 1960’s, Columbus constructed one of the first wastewater treatment plants in Georgia to ensure protection of the area’s precious water resources. When combined sewer overflows created concerns in the late ‘80’s, CWW invested in the necessary technology to capture and treat this potential polluter. Nationally recognized for its biosolids management program, CWW is leading the way for other utilities across the country to follow. Its innovative idea to convert a former landfill into an environmental learning center demonstrated CWW’s commitment to educating not only current but future generations about the critical issues surrounding environmental protection.

Our Strategic Plan is a road map composed of action items that produce improvements and develop “best practices” in the way we do business and conduct our operations.  These action items result in continuous improvements in financial and operational efficiencies, organizational effectiveness and customer satisfaction. Our Strategic Plan has six strategies,18 goals and 45 objectives, which are supported by activities and responsibilities that are linked to performance benchmarks.

Welcome to the Columbus Water Works Department of Employee Services also known in the industry as Human Resources. We are strategic partners and valuable contributors to the overall mission of CWW. Our primary goal is to focus on the needs and expectations of all of our customers and stakeholders. Employees PhotoWe are committed to creating innovative and effective human resource solutions to address the business needs of Columbus Water Works, an outstanding organization dedicated to providing excellent service to the citizens and businesses in our community and region.

Columbus Water Works is the operating entity of and is governed by the Columbus Board of Water Commissioners. The Board is comprised of four private citizens/volunteers and the Mayor of Columbus. The members, other than the Mayor who is ex Officio, are appointed to four-year terms by the Columbus City Council. The Board is responsible for selecting the President of CWW and for the periodic review of both processes and progress. Ultimately, the Board is accountable to Columbus City Council for organizational activities. The management is overseen via monthly management and operational reports.