Milestones in the history of the City of Columbus Department of Public Utilities role in; waste water treatment, street lighting, providing municipal power and the supply and management of water.
History of Streetlights & Municipal Power in Columbus
1844 Columbus gets its first streetlights, which are gas powered.
1880 First workable lighting system is unveiled at the Ohio State Journal newspaper offices. Several private electric companies are established including Columbus Electric Light, Columbus Edison Electric Light, and Columbus Electric Light and Power, some of which are used to light streets.
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Water Treatment History
"The Columbus Experiment" was known internationally and was the first water plant to combine filtration and water softening. View an historical timeline or the narrative text follows
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Water Supply and Source Management History
In the 1870s the City of Columbus was a state capital nestled between the banks of the Scioto and Olentangy Rivers. As with most thriving communities at the time, the availability of water played a crucial role in the growth and prosperity of Columbus.
Our leaders in Columbus have known for decades that the most important part of the water treatment process is protection of our water sources.
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History: Watershed Management Office & the Land Stewardship Program
With a growing population and an increasing demand for superior drinking water, the city recognized the need to maintain and protect the reservoirs. This voluntary agreement provides residents an opportunity to actively participate in protecting the source of our community’s drinking water.
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Milestones for Wastewater Treatment in Columbus
In 1841 the first sewer in Columbus is constructed. With no form of wastewater treatment, it was discharged directly into the Scioto River. Discover over a century of historical milestones in local wastewater treatment .
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