UNION COUNTY — Union County will sponsor the Meansville Riley Water Company in its application for grant funding to improve water line function and quality of water.
During a meeting of the Union County Council Committee on Administration and Finance earlier this week, Meansville Riley Water Company Operations Manager Charlie Wilson spoke to committee members regarding MRWC’s potential application for grant funding through the South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority. Wilson said because MRWC is a non-profit, it can only apply through sponsorship by the county. He also mentioned that eligible applicants must be located in counties labeled as “distressed” or “least developed,” and Union County falls into those categories.
Wilson explained that the grant would allow for changes in infrastructure which would help eliminate a problem with high TTHM (Total Trihalomethane) levels found in some service areas. He said the biggest problem occurs when service lines have dead ends, allowing water to sit and eventually requiring lines to be flushed, which wastes water.
Wilson’s plan is for the lines to be extended to form loops to allow the water to flow constantly, eliminating the need for flushing the lines, therefore improving the water quality. This would require the installation of approximately 31,000 linear feet of new water main at eight different roadways including Lower Fairforest Church Road, John Hart Road, Bill Black Road, Mt. Lebanon Road, Jones Ford Road, Red Barn Road, Compton Circle, and Sugar Creek/Joe Eubanks Road.
Wilson explained that the county would only have to sign off on the application, while the leg work and documents are completed by MRWC. The grant would be for $350,000, which would be used solely for construction materials and labor costs. MRWC would be responsible for the costs associated with engineering, land acquisition and permitting — estimated at approximately $40,000.
Wilson said once funds are granted, construction can begin after a bid is awarded for the project. He estimated the lines should be fully installed within six to eight months after the bid is awarded.
There was a general agreement among council members to support the MRWC, and County Supervisor Tommy Sinclair will sign the grant application this week.
Staff Writer Derik Vanderford can be reached at 864-427-1234, ext. 29, or by email at dvanderford@civitasmedia.com.
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