Columbia council approves consent‑decree modification with EPA and DOJ to buy time for major wastewater projects

Columbia City Council approved an ordinance authorizing the city manager to execute a consent‑decree modification with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Justice. Assistant City Manager Clint Shealy told council the modification recognizes market impacts from the COVID pandemic and provides additional time to complete four significant conveyance projects without environmental harm.

"This...gives us some time to execute 4 major conveyance projects about $70,000,000 worth of investment," Shealy said, noting negotiations with EPA and DOJ agreed to a modification rather than invoking the decree's force‑majeure clause. Staff said the change will not lead to sewer spill impacts and is intended to allow continued customer growth while the city rehabilitates and increases capacity in its system.

Council approved the ordinance by roll call.