A prostitute’s fee is only a loaf of bread, but the wife of another stalks a man’s very life, and it’s Monday Mail.

Park fees passed

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources board has voted to increase daily parking fees at state parks from $3 to $5, and to boost the price of an annual park pass from $30 to $50, effective May 20.

You can dodge the fee if you hit the park on Wednesday, which is free parking day, or if with a library card you check out a state parking pass, just like a book. You’d better return it on time, though, or you might have to pay a fee.

Sewer types told

In reader feedback is this message regarding an April 19 column about a big storm sewer project north of Edgewood Road near Clubview Elementary School:

Mr. Chitwood,

... I would like to clarify the project you discuss is a storm-water project not a sewer project. ... The city’s Engineering Department and Rainwater Management Department manage the storm-water system. This system collects the rainwater/storm-water runoff through storm inlets, usually found in the street curbs, and conveys this water through storm pipes to the nearest stream, creek, or watershed. This storm water system is necessary to prevent flooding and erosion. By the way, these pipes are commonly called storm sewers but without the “storm” designation in front, “sewer” alone means something else. Storm pipes are generally much larger than sewer pipes ... to convey a large amount of water quickly.

Columbus Water Works manages the wastewater collection system, commonly referred to as the sewer system. This wastewater system collects the raw sewage and drain water coming from inside plumbing (toilets, tubs, showers, dishwashers, washing machines, etc.) and conveys it to our South Columbus Water Resource Facility ... for treatment before it is discharged to the river.

Throughout most of Columbus, these two systems are separate and need to be because wastewater (sewage) must be treated before it can be discharged to the river. However, in some of the older parts of town ... these two systems are combined into what is called the combined sewer system. The city maintains combined sewer pipes but Columbus Water Works manages the two Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) plants. These plants come “on-line” during rain events to treat the combined flow before it is discharged....

I hope I have cleared it up for you, but I would certainly understand if you are still confused. The phrase, “It’s as clear as mud” comes to mind, or maybe, in this case “It’s as clear as sewage” would be more appropriate. Certainly, anything you could do to help clear up the confusion with your readers and the general public here in Columbus would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

John Peebles,

Manager of System Services

Columbus Water Works.

Dear John:

Thanks.

Now someone’s probably going to have to explain the difference between the CSO (combined sewer overflow) and the CSO (Columbus Symphony Orchestra).