Community Connection

The people at Columbia Water & Light believe it is very important to give back to the community, the owners of our utility. We are dedicated to showing young people ways to conserve our resources and make our city a better place in which to live. If you are interested in learning more about our programs, or have a way we can be of service to your organization, please e-mail us or call 573-874-7325.

Energy Challenge

Ninth grade students in the Columbia Public Schools’ science classes are challenged to reduce energy consumption in their homes. The program is a joint effort between Columbia Water & Light and Boone Electric Cooperative. Employees from both utilities spend time in the classrooms, providing an entertaining, yet informative, look at the science of energy. Students are assigned a questionnaire about their family’s energy use. They then enter the information in a computer program and receive recommendations on how their family can reduce their energy consumption and save resources for the future.

Utilities Engineer, Joni Troyer

Utilities Engineer, Joni Troyer,
spends a day teaching at Jefferson Junior High School.

Calendar Contest

Each year junior high art departments work with Columbia Water & Light to produce a conservation calendar. It provides an opportunity to encourage saving our resources and electrical safety to the youth. It is also a great platform to display artwork and talent of Columbia’s fine young artists. The calendar is sent each year to all of our customers.

Saturday Science

Each winter, students that have a special interest in science can sign up for an extra curricular learning experience. Columbia Water & Light helps host this event with the Columbia Public Schools. Students are taught science theories that are involved with energy production and water treatment. Tours of our facilities are coupled with hands-on learning projects.

Services Superintendent, Gary Maiden

Services Superintendent, Gary Maiden
demonstrates to Millcreek students the
correct approach to tree planting.

Trees

Trees beautify our city and provide shade to reduce cooling costs. Columbia Water & Light has been named a Tree Line USA utility for several years. The honor was received in recognition of their efforts in responsible tree trimming practices and programs to promote appropriate planting near utility lines. Proper planting techniques are encouraged throughout the year by Water and Light employees. The utility also provides free shade trees through its Tree Power program.

Speaker Service

Employees of Columbia Water & Light are available to speak on a variety of topics like conservation tips, electrical safety, proper tree planting techniques, electric production and water treatment. E-mail or call 874-7325 to request a speaker.

Blood Drives

Several times each year electric distribution employees organize a blood drive. Columbia Water & Light employees and workers from our tree trimming service, Asplundh, give an average of 25 to 30 units of blood to be used in our community.