Columbia Power & Water Systems (CPWS) is a public utility providing services to the citizens of Columbia and Maury County.
We are proud to have served you since 1939 and look forward to serving you many more.
CPWS does much more than just keep the lights on, water flowing, and Internet buzzing. We believe local direction and controls put the community’s interests first above all else.
Local Accountability
- CPWS board meetings are advertised in advance and open to the public. Board members are appointed by the Columbia City Council.
- CPWS’ electric policies and rate structure are regulated by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).
- CPWS’ water rates are approved by the Columbia City Council with opportunities for public comment. Water quality is regulated by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC).
Investing In Our Community
Did you know that CPWS pays over $1.5 million annually in-lieu-of-taxes to local governments that are reinvested in the community?
Also, through special incentive rates to manufacturers and direct investment in community organizations, CPWS is able to support the communities economic development. CPWS is a long-term partner with:
- The Maury County Chamber
- Economic Alliance
- The Middle Tennessee Industrial Development Association
Community Involvement
- CPWS is a Partner in Education with Highland Park Elementary School, supporting school attendance and academic excellence.
- CPWS provides electrical safety demonstrations to Maury County public and private schools to educate students on the basics of electrical safety and provides water related educational materials to community schools.
- CPWS sponsors the RoundUp Program for schools as well. CPWS customers can round their power bills up to the next dollar and that money will be used for technology in the school of their choice. Participating schools include all Maury County public schools, as well as Agathos School, Columbia Academy, and Zion Christian Academy. Funds are administered by the Maury Alliance.
- Many CPWS employees and retirees are active in the community in area civic groups, charitable organizations, and other activities such as volunteering their time to coach children’s sports teams, serving as Sunday school teachers, and volunteering with local charities.
Low Cost Services
- TVA, our electric supplier, is one of the lowest cost providers of electricity in the country. TVA diverse power generation fleet provides electricity to 9 million residents in the Tennessee Valley.
- CPWS’ water system gets its water directly from the beautiful Duck River. CPWS’ water rates are also among the lowest in Tennessee.
Special Services
- CPWS works with TVA to provide energy consultant services to local residential, commercial, and industrial customers.
- For commercial and industrial customers, energy audits, infrared analysis, lighting analysis, and design reviews are some examples of the advisory services we offer the community.
- Local, residential customers should visit the Energy Right website to learn more about the services we can provide.
Preserving the Environment
CPWS acts responsibly as a leader in environmental protection in the community. CPWS works closely with water resource and environmental partners to protect the water in the Duck River watershed. Also, CPWS and TVA offer exciting and innovative green power options to our customers.
Promoting Energy Efficiency
For a number of years, CPWS has offered special incentives to help families install energy-efficient central heating and air conditioning systems. Programs are available to customers building new homes or upgrading older homes with energy-efficient solutions.
Assistance
- CPWS participates in the Good Samaritan Program that allows customers to add a dollar (or more) to their monthly CPWS bill, which is administered by the Family Center for distribution toward needy applicants’ utility bills.
- CPWS works with the Family Center, Columbia Cares, and other church-sponsored assistance programs along with the South Central Human Resources to provide assistance to customers who need help paying their utility bills.
History
Early Development of Columbia’s Water and Electric Utilities
1811
The minutes of the City of Columbia record on September 30, 1811, John Hodge, William McNeil, Samuel Craig, Jeremiah Cherry, Peter Cheatham, Isaac Harden, and John M. Taylor were appointed to administer the Columbia Water Company.
According to the Century Review 1805 – 1905 Maury County, Tennessee:
“By reference to “County Seat” the reader may learn about the early waterworks. The present company comes from merging the Electric Light Co., chartered January 1880, by T.B. Raines, Calvin Morgan, Lucius Frierson, T.B. Childers, Geo. L. Thomas, and J.M. Mayes, with the Water Company, created by ordinance Apr. 3, 83 (1883), to erect a reservoir on Mt. Parnassus.
The plant was built by Travers Daniel, pumping station above the Duck River Bridge, with intake above all sewer outlets, and water filtering through gravel and sand. The plant has two 100 hp. engines, and the water tube boilers aggregate 400 hp. The duplicate pumps have a capacity of over 1,000,000 gallons each daily. The reservoir is 300 ft. above the river, capacity 2,000,000 gallons, and where the mains are of proper size gives good fire pressure; but for high buildings and emergencies, the city needs a modern fire engine.
The capital of the Electric Light & Water Company is $100,000. There are 77 fire hydrants, seven miles of mains, and the water is said to be exceptionally good for boilers. The electric plant was rebuilt spring of 1904; has one three-phase dynamo 150 kW, one 3-phase 200 kW 60 cycle, 225 hp. engine. The city uses 60 enclosed alternating current arc lights at $75 each annually; 2,100 incandescent lamps are in use, and the plant has sufficient power for many more.”
“The Columbia Waterworks Plant … is kept in first-class repair throughout the superintendence of J.S. Robinson, who was born in Texas, 1874, and has been in charge here for several years. W.B. Dobbins, manager of this company since 1899, was born in Maury County, 1846, and has been in business at Columbia from early manhood.”
1000000
Daily gallon capacity per pump
2000000
Gallons of reservoir capacity
$100000
Capital of the Electric Light & Water Company
77
Fire hydrants
7
Miles of mains
2100
Incandescent lamps in use
Expansion and Modernization of Public Utilities (1888-1940)
1888
Citizens get power
According to the city minute book, on September 17, 1888, the mayor and aldermen passed an ordinance “to provide lighting on the streets with electric lights and power and to also supply its citizens with lights and power.”
According to the “First Annual Report to the Board of Mayor and Commissioners of Columbia, Tennessee” for Fiscal year ending June 30, 1940 of the Board of Public Utilities:
“On August 16, 1939 the City of Columbia, Tennessee acquired through purchase, the properties of The Tennessee Electric Power Company in Columbia and a large area adjacent thereto in Maury County and one community in Williamson County and to accomplish this purchase sold electric revenue bonds in the amount of $800,000 dated June 1, 1939.” “At the time of the purchase of City of Columbia was with the assistance of Public Works Administration of U.S. Government engaged in building an electric distribution system in Columbia by private contract and had received from P.W.A. an advance grant of $30,600.00. While negotiations for purchase of the existing utility were under way this private control was slowed down and finally closed leaving a partially built duplicate distribution system.”
$800000
Electric revenue bonds sold on June 1, 1939
$30600
Advance grant received from Public Works Administration in 1939
Board of Public Utilities and Electric System Development (1939-1941)
Board of Public Utilities created
February
1888
“The City of Columbia on February 3, 1939 acting under the provisions of Chapter 32 of the Acts of 1935 of the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee and laws supplement thereto created a Board of Public Utilities consisting of three members for the operation of the electric system and for the transaction of such business as might arise in connection with same.”
The original members of the Board were:
- T.B. Forgey, Chairman
- R.J. Harlan, temporary secretary
- W.A. Ray
June
1939
On June 15, 1939 employed a manager (Mr. Robert W. Williamson) to operate the electric system under their supervision and control.
On June 6, 1939, Mr. T.B. Forgey resigned from the Board and Mr. U.H. Foster was named his replacement. Mr. R.J. Harlan was elected chairman and Mr. U.H. Foster was named as temporary secretary.
August
1939
On Aug. 16, 1939 began the operation of the acquired properties.
On August 17, 1939 said Board designated for the operation of the electric property the title Columbia Power System as their operating agency.” Mr. Williamson was named Secretary of the Board.
Strategic partnerships and financial decisions
May
1939
According to the June 23, 1939 Board minutes, on “May 15, 1939, an agreement was entered into between Tennessee Valley Authority and the City of Columbia under the terms of which Tennessee Valley Authority agrees for a period of 20 years to supply electric current to the City of Columbia.”
June
1939
The Board of Public Utilities ratified and confirmed the agreement at its June 23, 1939 meeting.
August
1939
On August 4, 1939, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen adopted a resolution titled “A Resolution Confirming the Sale of $800,000 Electric System Revenue Bonds of the City of Columbia” and the Board of Public Utilities ratified the resolution at its Aug. 5, 1939 meeting.
On August 15, 1939 in New York City, the closing transaction on the $800,000 electric revenue bonds took place according to the August 17, 1939 minutes of the Board of Public Utilities.
The Electric System was purchased from the Tennessee Electric Power Company on August 16, 1939 for $654,018.99. The Board also paid the City of Columbia $6,225.13 “for items of expense in connection with the building of an electric system and the acquisition of property of Tennessee Electric Power Company” per minutes of the August 30, 1939 Board meeting.
The first office of Columbia Power System was located at 212 West Seventh Street, which was owned by the Crescent Amusement Company and was known as the Bethel House.
Expansion of responsibilities and Waterworks management
May
1941
According to the Board minutes of May 10, 1941:
“on the 7th day of May, 1941, the Board of Commissioners of the City of Columbia, Tennessee, adopted a Resolution substituting the Board of Public Utilities of the City of Columbia for the Board of Waterworks and Sewerage Commissioners provided for in Chapter 68 of the Public Acts of 1933, and vesting in said Board of Public Utilities, all of the powers, duties, and responsibilities placed upon the Board of Waterworks and Sewerage Commissioners in Chapter 68 of the Public Acts of 1933, and granting to the Board of Public Utilities of the City of Columbia full jurisdiction over the waterworks plant, distribution system, and other things appertaining thereto.”
The Board of Public Utilities ratified the Resolution and accepted “the custody, administration, operation, maintenance, and control of said Waterworks.”
The City issued $425,000 in Waterworks Revenue Bonds.
Stats (1939-1940)
1.86 cents
Average paid by consumers per kWh from 1939 to 1940
1,575 kWh
Average annual use by consumers from 1939 to 1940