What is LCWSC?
LCWSC is a Special Purpose District that provides water and sewer service to the unincorporated areas of Laurens County and portions of southern Greenville County. A Special Purpose District is a form of government that is governed by a board of elected or appointed officials, and provides service in areas that cannot be provided for by any other agency.
LCWSC operates under a separate governance structure. It is overseen by a Board of Commissioners, made up of eight members appointed by the Governor, who serve staggered terms. These Board members, who must be individual users or residents of the service district, are entrusted with setting policy and overseeing general operations.
Appointing members from each Council District allows for fair and equal representation across the entire county. Each board member maintains a close relationship with the councilperson and district they represent, and is always aware of district’s needs and concerns. This appointed board ensures that LCWSC board members have strong backgrounds in technical or managerial areas. Their expertise allows them to make well-informed technical decisions that are cost effective for our customers.
LCWSC and the Board of Commissioners desire to serve the people of Laurens County by providing the best water and sewer service available at the most affordable rates. We strive to operate with the interests of Laurens County and the people we serve.
Vision, Mission & Values
Vision
To be the leading water and sewer provider for the Laurens County community by delivering excellent, cost-effective services, valuing our employees and partners, and instilling a culture of integrity throughout our organization.
Mission
LCWSC’s dedicated team ensures high levels of service by managing a sustainable supply of quality drinking water, environmentally sound wastewater collection, and efficient treatment services, while supporting the infrastructure necessary for regional prosperity.
Values
Reliable – We strive to provide essential services to our community without delay or disruption.
Proactive – We look ahead and plan to meet the opportunities and challenges of tomorrow.
Safe – The safety of our water and our employees is of vital importance to LCWSC.
Sustainable – We use the environmental and financial resources entrusted to LCWSC in a responsible manner.
Partners – We value internal and external collaboration in pursuit of shared goals.
Board of Commissioners
Commission Meetings
Commission Meetings Schedule
Commission meetings are typically held on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 8:15 am at the LCWSC Office, located at 3850 Highway 221 South, Laurens, SC. For specific dates, please click here for the schedule.
Commission Meetings Agendas and Minutes
To see our meeting agendas and minutes, please click here.
Management Team
Expansion
How often does LCWSC expand its water and sewer systems?
LCWSC began providing public water to unincorporated areas in Laurens County in 1972 as Rabon Creek Rural Water District. We installed small lines adequate to provide drinking water to existing homes at that time, as required by the lending agency, Farmers Home Administration (FHA).
Fire flow was not a priority during FHA funding. This installation allowed LCWSC to serve many homes with our limited funding. The current population and expected growth have made the replacement of these waterlines a necessity. These new larger lines allow LCWSC to provide better service to all homes in this area and provide water service and fire protection to industrial prospects looking for commercial sites.
LCWSC & Capital Projects
The Laurens County Development Corporation (LCDC) https://growlaurenscounty.com/ is the local economic development agency for Laurens County. The LCDC activities are funded by the LCWSC along with several other partner agencies. These agencies contribute significantly to the economic development activities. Read more…..
Can I keep my private well?
All property owners in the unincorporated areas are free to dig private wells for outside watering. These wells may not be connected to the same plumbing as your public water tap because private wells are not considered for public use. South Carolina state law and Cross Connection Control require that homes connected to a public water system cannot also be connected to a private well.
Where does my water come from?
Currently, LCWSC utilizes our Lake Greenwood Water Treatment Facility for most customers in our area. Due to large swings in hydraulic grade over our service territory, there is a portion of our customer base that is served by purchasing water from Greenville Water System. Depending on your residential address, you may receive water from either of these sources.
Is the electronic meter reading system effective?
Because LCWSC has a large, rural water system, personally reading each meter is labor intensive and costly to you. To overcome this challenge, LCWSC utilizes a drive by computer read system. Some of our water meters are cellular and report to our office without the need to drive by to collect a current read. This combination of systems allow us to collect information from our customer base of 17,000 taps and almost 1,000 miles of water main in a timely and cost-effective manner.
Most water systems have implemented some sort of radio or automatic meter reading system across the country in rural and metropolitan areas. It allows LCWSC to use minimal meter-readers, thus is cost-effectively serving the entire customer base and keeping your rates minimal.
Rate Comparison
How do LCWSC water rates compare to neighboring districts?
LCWSC invests in reliable water and wastewater services through ongoing maintenance, infrastructure improvements, and thoughtful planning for current and future customers. We work to manage costs responsibly and pursue funding opportunities that help limit the impact of necessary improvements on customer rates.
The table below compares monthly residential water and sewer charges for LCWSC and neighboring providers based on 5,000 gallons of usage, as reported in the South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority’s 2026 rate survey. Rates reflect information submitted for the survey and may not include subsequent changes.
Source: 2026 SC Rural Infrastructure Authority Water & Sewer Rate Survey. Figures reflect rates reported for the survey and may not include subsequent changes. Actual bills vary by usage, service classification, and applicable charges.
| Utility | Monthly Usage | Water Bill | Sewer Bill | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LCWSC | 5,000 gallons | $50.75 | $55.25 | $106.00 |
| Laurens — Inside City | 5,000 gallons | $52.35 | $42.50 | $94.85 |
| Newberry County Water & Sewer Authority | 5,000 gallons | $57.00 | $73.00 | $130.00 |
| Clinton — Inside City | 5,000 gallons | $46.60 | $67.11 | $113.71 |
Community
At LCWSC, serving our communities goes beyond delivering water and wastewater services. Our core values—Safe, Reliable, Proactive, Sustainable, and Partners—guide how we care for our neighbors, protect natural resources, and help prepare the next generation.
Through employee involvement, sponsorships, educational outreach, and hands-on support, we contribute to organizations and events throughout the communities we serve.
Keeping Our Communities and Waterways Beautiful
LCWSC supports Keep Laurens County Beautiful through annual sponsorship, fundraising initiatives, and cleanup efforts, including the Boyd’s Mill Pond cleanup with Friends of the Reedy River. Our employees also participate in Adopt-a-Highway, helping keep our adopted stretch of Highway 221 clean.
Our involvement with Preserving Lake Greenwood, Keep Greenwood County Beautiful, and the Lake Greenwood Cleanup reinforces the connection between clean communities and healthy water sources. We also support environmental education through the Laurens County Conservation District, Joe Adair Outdoor Education Center, and Team Ecology.
Encouraging Learning and Future Careers
We connect with students through career fairs, classroom visits, job shadowing, internships, apprenticeships, and the Laurens and Newberry Counties Career Showcase. Water treatment facility tours and educational activities introduce students to the science, technology, and people behind essential water and wastewater services.
LCWSC also supports ROBOTZ Garage—FIRST Robotics Competition Team 4451, which includes students from Laurens District 55 High School and Fountain Inn High School. Along with Science Olympiad and local STEAM activities, these programs help students build teamwork, problem-solving, and technical skills.
Our support extends to school leadership programs, teacher appreciation activities, back-to-school events, youth athletics, and local YMCA programs.
Supporting Our Neighbors
We support organizations addressing community needs, including United Way of Laurens County, Christ Central Ministries, Laurens County Safe Home, Thornwell, local Rotary and Lions clubs, and other service organizations.
That support takes many forms—from contributing to Bags of Love and community cooling centers to providing bottled water, event equipment, sponsorships, and employee participation. Our support for Water Mission also helps advance access to safe water beyond our service area.
Building Community Connections
From festivals and holiday celebrations to community gatherings and local fundraisers, our team enjoys being involved in the places we call home. We support activities that bring neighbors together, celebrate local traditions, and strengthen community connections.
Our partnerships with the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce, Laurens County Development Corporation, Ten at the Top, and neighboring organizations help us stay informed, work together, and plan thoughtfully for current and future customers.
Serving today. Preparing for tomorrow.