Irmo Residents Face Delay in High-Speed Internet Rollout After Water Line Incident

Irmo Community Faces Internet Development Setback

In the town of Irmo, residents are experiencing an unexpected hiccup in the rollout of new high-speed internet services. The fiber optic company, Lumos Fiber, has been instructed to halt their work in the Murraywood neighborhood effective immediately. This decision came after an unfortunate incident involving a water line strike earlier this week that caused disruptions for several households.

Water Line Strike Causes Chaos

On Wednesday, Willow Bend Court was the scene of the mishap, where Lumos crews accidentally struck a water line, leading to a gushing fountain of water cascading down the roadway. The local water service had to be shut off for several hours, leaving many residents without water. Clint Shealy from Columbia Water addressed the media, highlighting the urgency of the matter. He mentioned there was a possibility of needing to dig into the pavement to access the damaged pipe, creating further disruption in an area already dealing with issues.

Immediate Response from Officials

In a swift reaction to the damages, the Lexington County Public Works Department sent an email to Lumos on Friday, mandating that work be paused. They emphasized that it was in the “best interest” of the community to cease operations until a Corrective Action Plan could be submitted and approved. “We require a Corrective Action Plan approved by Lexington County Public Works for repairs at this location,” the email stated, underlining the need for responsible restoration.

The Bigger Picture for Lumos Fiber

This isn’t Lumos Fiber’s first run-in with troubles while trying to expand its high-speed internet services in the Midlands. Last year, the company faced significant backlash from the city of Columbia due to multiple gas line leaks caused during operations. These incidents even led to some residents in the Elmwood Park area having to evacuate their homes. Although Lumos was later allowed to continue its projects, the company has faced continuous scrutiny following additional mishaps involving water main strikes over the summer.

A New Beginning with Lexington County

Despite these challenges, Lumos Fiber was hopeful about their plans for the Midlands region. Last fall, they announced that they had secured the necessary franchise agreements to begin laying down a whopping 1,200 miles of fiber-optic cable between Richland and Lexington counties. Just last week, work kicked off in the Irmo area, and company executives had even mentioned plans to enhance local parks with free WiFi.

Future Uncertain for Residents

For the residents of Irmo, the future of high-speed internet access is now somewhat uncertain as they await Lumos Fiber’s corrective action plan and the timeline for when work might safely resume. A county spokesperson indicated that no specific deadline had been set for the submission of the plan, leaving the locals in a bit of a waiting game. Meanwhile, Lumos representatives have not yet commented on the recent developments or on how they plan to rectify the situation.

The Community Effect

As the community watches closely, there is a mix of frustration and hope. **High-speed internet** is a lifeline for many households, especially as so much of our daily lives relies on consistent internet access. The pause in the project is a setback, but with proper oversight and corrective measures taken, the residents of Irmo might still see the high-speed service they’ve been eagerly awaiting. Here’s hoping for smooth sailing ahead in the road to enhanced connectivity!