POWDERSVILLE — The South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has awarded a total of $1.369 billion in grant funding to utilities across the state for significant improvements in water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure.
According to RIA, “the 216 grants to local governments and public water and sewer utilities across South Carolina will go a long way in protecting the quality of life, addressing long-term sustainability, and providing new opportunities for growth and development.” Powdersville Water (PW) will be receiving grant funding up to $10 million from RIA’s South Carolina Infrastructure Investment Program (SCIIP).
Federally funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), SCIIP supports transformative projects in SC water, wastewater and stormwater systems.
Dyke Spencer, Executive Director of Powdersville Water said, “part of the grant funds to PW will be utilized in the Dacusville area to upgrade the level of water service to our customers in this portion of Pickens County”. Spencer stated “our state charter established in 2002 provided that we serve portions of Anderson and Pickens Counties, and we are excited that funding has been made available to bring better water infrastructure to our friends in Pickens County. This will be a transformational project for this area of the county”.
Back in 2019, Powdersville Water completed a 25-year Water Resources Master Plan that identified this project as one of several infrastructure improvements necessary to meet projected growth demands. Historically, Dacusville has been an under-served portion of Powdersville’s distribution system that will now see major improvements in water infrastructure.
The “Dacusville Loop” installation of more than 5 miles of 12-inch ductile iron water main will adequately cover the Dacusville area that Powdersville serves. Spencer cautioned, “With an investment this size, there will inevitably be some disturbance during construction. As we make these improvements, we ask our customers in that area for patience.” Impacted customers will benefit from a drastic improvement in fire protection, increased water capacity, and stabilization of system pressure to support current needs and future growth.
“There have been very few upgrades in the past to the infrastructure that serves the Dacusville area. However, this massive investment in infrastructure will bring a level of service to these customers that we consider the standard for Powdersville Water,” said Phil Landreth, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Powdersville Water. “The grant will alleviate the financial burden for our rate payors, and we were wise to bid this work early in the process.”
The “Dacusville Loop” project is scheduled to begin in July of this year and completion is slated for 2024. Powdersville Water will be one of the first utilities in South Carolina to begin a project funded by a SCIIP grant.