by Leah Justice
leah.justice@tryondailybullentin.com

Polk County and Inman-Campobello Water District (ICWD) have decided to work together to not only draft long-range plans for Polk’s water system but to work together in an attempt to save the county money.

Polk County Commissioners met Sept. 18 and met with Jeff Walker, ICWD General Manager, who gave a presentation along with interim county manager Marche Pittman on what ICWD currently does for Polk County and what it could do for the county in the future.

Commissioners set a work session to discuss some of the ideas for Monday, Sept. 22 at 6 p.m., just prior to the county’s regular meeting at 7 p.m.

Commissioners directed Pittman in August to begin meeting with ICWD to see how the two entities could work together. Polk County owns a water line that connects Broad River Water Authority (BRWA) and ICWD and is able to run extensions off the line to Polk County customers. ICWD serves Polk’s water customers.

Pittman said he and Walker began meeting once a week and since Aug. 4 met every week and had several phone calls to put their ideas in broad categories.

Some of the ways Polk and ICWD can better collaborate include having ICWD provide engineering services, provide reservoir management, help with compliance and provide help with water distribution once Polk begins using Lake Adger as a public water source.

Walker said ICWD could provide the county with engineering services. He said whenever a water line is installed in Polk County, ICWD is already out there taking pictures, checking where fittings are located and doing distribution mapping and GIS services.

Walker said ICWD could provide the actual water line designs for Polk County, do construction inspections and construction project permitting. Walker said ICWD provides those services “below the border” already in South Carolina because it saves them money. He said it’s been about seven years since ICWD hired an engineering firm to design their lines.

“Whenever we put in a line we have someone come out to make sure specs are being followed,” Walker told commissioners. “You have that too. That’s something we can provide that you don’t have to pay for. We do all that now and we can certainly do it here if that’s what’s desired.”

On maintaining Polk’s reservoir, Walker said ICWD has the ability to provide some technical expertise to protect and preserve the county’s water supply. He said as Polk goes into improvements needed for Lake Adger that is where ICWD could help the most.

Walker also said ICWD could help Polk County in getting contractors to dredge Lake Adger as well.

ICWD already does a good deal in ensuring state and federal permitting and regulatory requirements are met concerning new water lines, Walker said. ICWD also handles consumer confidence reports, water sampling and testing, Walker said.

Walker also said ICWD could help with planning, such as system modeling and developing long-term needs and a desired growth plan.

ICWD constructs its own water lines in South Carolina and has constructed three of Polk County’s extension lines.

“This could save this county a lot of money,” Walker said. “You’d be paying for supplies and that’s it.”

Walker added that ICWD would not be interested in constructing 20 miles of 20-inch lines frequently, but they do those types of projects as long as they have the time and resources.

He said with a capital projects plan, Polk could plan where it needs tanks and know what it would need and when to build them.

ICWD has plans for itself for the next 50 years, Walker said.

Pittman said with Polk and ICWD’s combined resources, there is a plentiful water supply. He said by working closely with ICWD Polk could provide a lower cost service without added county staff, equipment and tax burden.

Commissioner Ray Gasperson said this is one of the best deals ever. Walker said the feeling is mutual and ICWD is excited to be working with Polk County. He also said ICWD’s last three employees hired came from Polk County and the new equestrian center is exciting for ICWD.

 

Polk’s water system growth

Polk County’s water system has grown substantially over the last several years with water lines being extended throughout the county. The latest water line extension was from Green Creek to the Mill Spring crossroads. Commissioners are now awaiting bids to extend that line down Hwy. 9 to the Sunny View Fire Department and Sunny View School.

In 2008, Polk County had less than a half-mile of water line and in 2014 has 46.19 miles of water lines.

Customers have grown from three in 2008 to 272 in 2014. With the extension of water lines has included the addition of fire hydrants throughout the county. In 2008 Polk had four hydrants associated with its own water lines and in 2014 has 132 fire hydrants.

Polk also had only one water supply option in 2008 and now has three supply options. Options for customers have also grown with only one payment option available to customers in 2008 and five payment options offered currently.