Monday letters: Stop diverting money; fix Columbia sewage problem

On a beautiful spring afternoon, three friends and I launched a canoe at Riverfront Park and paddled down the Broad and Saluda rivers to the Rosewood Drive boat landing. We marveled at the sight of the Rocky Shoals lilies and admired the herons that frequent the rivers. We observed children playing on the shores, young people swimming and tubing and numerous fishermen.

Suddenly, I was overcome by the undeniable stench of raw sewage. It happened again and again. Who is responsible for this, I thought. Is it the city of Columbia? Where’s DHEC?

I recently read that between 1990 and 2010, Columbia City Council diverted $78.6 million from water and sewer “profits” to fund other city programs and, of course, economic development.

With an ill-equipped sewer system, how are these funds considered profit? Who would want to move businesses and their families to a city with inadequate infrastructure?

South Carolina’s natural resources are a treasure. It is very disturbing to see our beautiful rivers abused in such a way. So come on, Columbia: Use our water and sewer fees to fix the problem and keep our rivers clean for all to enjoy. I call that economic development.