LCWSC Water Treatment Plant Project

In 2009, LCWSC hired a consultant to perform a water resources master plan. The master plan determined that current water resources are not sustainable for future growth.

LCWSC made the decision that a water treatment plant needed to be built capable of supplying our, at the time, 14,000 taps plus future growth.

Where would the water come from?

LCWSC evaluated all existing and potential water sources in Laurens County.

Lake Rabon, which is owned and operated by LCWSC, did not have enough long term capacity to serve the potential growth projected for Laurens County.

Lake Greenwood was the only viable alternative strategically located to meet future needs for LCWSC and Laurens County. Lake Greenwood is a well managed reservoir with a reliable and robust watershed.

Given the facts, LCWSC secured a 6 acre parcel for the intake site on the lake as well as a 32 acre parcel for the treatment facility in the area.

Working with a neighbor

Getting all the necessary permits to move the project forward was a long process. Typically this process can take up to 24 months to complete.

LCWSC entered into an agreement with Greenwood County for water withdrawal from the lake. This agreement included conditions proposed by FERC.

In November 2017 LCWSC received a Surface Water Withdrawal Permit from DHEC for 40 years!

System Improvements

Many water distribution system improvements will be needed.

As planning continued, many system improvements were needed to be able to supply water to LCWSC customers. Areas were identified that need larger water lines and a site for a new elevated water tank.

Groundbreaking Ceremony

On November 14, 2019 LCWSC held a ground braking ceremony at the Raw Water Intake on Lake Greenwood. This was a momentous occasion that meant construction was about to begin.

Construction Begins

There are three main categories to the construction of something as large as a water treatment plant.
1 – The raw water intake and pump station located on Lake Greenwood
2 – The plant that will treat and transform the raw water into potable water
3 – The water distribution system of pipes needed to supply current and future demands

1 – The raw water intake construction is a massive challenge. This would require excavating tons of earth to allow for pipe and pump installation. A barge was needed to install the intake pipe out in the lake. Finally, the structure is being built on the property to house the pumps.

Time lapse video of intake construction through 8/29/20

2 – The plant construction will include 40 acres of various components that will all work in harmony to create safe, clean drinking water for many years to come. This site will include ozone for disinfecting the water, treatment to remove unwanted materials from the lake water, an administration building where the laboratory will be located, two 750,000 gallon wet wells for finished water storage, along with other parts of the treatment processes.

3 – Many system improvements are needed since the source of water will be significantly changed hydraulically. You may have noticed some of the construction sites along major roadways throughout the county over the last several months.

Installation of a new 16″ ductile iron pipeline on Stagecoach Rd, Hwy 76 and Raider Rd that will tie into the existing pump station located at Raider Rd
Installation of a new 16″ ductile iron pipeline on Hwy 221 from the plant site to new booster pump station located at the Waterloo water tank site
Installation of a new 16″ ductile iron and 12″ PVC pipeline on Hwy 72, Greenplain Rd and Young Rd that will be used to supply the Town of Joanna.
Installation of a new 500,000 gallon water tank near the intersection of Hwy 72 and Milam Rd

As of 8/18/2020 over 80% of the installation of new pipelines have been completed as shown on the map below in yellow with the red hash marks.

9/25/2020 Loan Closing

Laurens County Water & Sewer Commissioners approved resolutions to close funding with USDA. This decision to close early will save the Commission over $10 million dollars in interest over the next 40 years.

Total Project Cost for all aspects of the new water treatment plant come to a total of $54 million dollars.

$42 million dollars financed through the USDA
$5 million dollars USDA grants
$3.6 million dollars EDA and RIA grants
$3 million dollars from LCWSC funds

4/2021 Time-Lapse Videos of Construction at the Water Treatment Facility

One year of Construction

One year into construction time lapse videos. The video below shows a panoramic view of the entire Water Treatment Facility and shows the progress from April 2020 until April 2021.

Time Lapse video credit to Harper Construction

One year into construction time lapse videos. The video below shows the construction of the Administration and Lab Building progress from
April 2020 until April 2021.

Time Lapse video credit to Harper Construction

One year into construction time lapse videos. The video below shows the construction of the Wet Wells and Treatment Process Facility progress from
April 2020 until April 2021.

Time Lapse video credit to Harper Construction

4/15/2021 Flyover Videos of Construction Progress

Video credit to Smart Electric Company, Inc.

Project Update August 2021

The last several months have seen a lot of construction progress toward the completion of LCWSC’s Lake Greenwood Water Treatment Facility.

This project represents a tremendous investment in Laurens County and our future. This water treatment facility will ensure many generations to come will have an ample supply of safe, clean water. With the recent County growth and projected growth over the next 10+ years, the LCWSC Lake Greenwood Water Treatment Facility will be ready to meet our customers needs.