A major portion of the Hwy. 9 waterline extension has been completed on the southern side of U.S. 74.

The Polk County Board of Commissioners met Monday, Oct. 21 and heard from interim county manager Marche Pittman that the southern side of the waterline is linked.

The next step, Pittman said, is to start on the northern portion of the line near Hwy. 108. Crews are scheduled next to begin working on boring under U.S. 74.

Commissioners approved a $1,353,492 bid in June to extend its waterline from Peniel Road in Green Creek to the Hwy. 9 crossroads in Mill Spring.

The line will, once complete, shut down the county’s wells at the Polk County Recreation Complex, which currently supplies water to several residences and businesses as well as the middle school. Carolina Specialties Inc. is constructing the waterline.

The project, which began in July, is scheduled to be complete near the end of this year.

The county’s connection of waterlines will mean that the county’s Broad River Water Authority source is connected to Columbus, which is connected to Tryon and Saluda.

The waterline being constructed is being referred to as the “missing link” to connect the county and its towns to regional sources.

Once the line is complete, all the county’s water will be received from the Broad River Water Authority, which is maintained by Inman Campobello Water District (ICWD). The new line will give a public water source to Polk Central School as well, which is currently served by a well.

Customers served by the county’s well system at Mill Spring, will receive water administered by ICWD and the well system will be maintained for irrigation purpose.

Commissioners approved a project budget ordinance earlier this year expecting that the total cost will be $1,450,000, including the bid amount and contingency.

The county is funding the project out of its fund balance.