Piedmont, S.C. (June 23, 2010) – The Piedmont Public Service District announced today that plans are underway to construct a new sanitary sewer system for its residents. Made possible by a sponsorship from the Metropolitan Sewer Subdistrict (MSSD) for $5.8 million in state funding, both Upstate agencies are currently working to satisfy the South Carolina Clean Water State Revolving Fund’s requirements for implementation. Engineers have already begun designing the new system, while sewer maintenance crews will start assessing the current century-old system in the coming weeks.
“We feel our citizens are entitled to a better sewer system and are grateful for the help of the Metropolitan Sewer Sub-district in providing it,” said Ed Poore, chair of Piedmont’s board of commissioners. “The new system will benefit our entire community – from the well-deserving residents to the environment as we continue to protect the Saluda River Basin.”
Piedmont currently operates the sanitary sewer system within its boundaries that straddle the Anderson/Greenville county line. Under the new sponsorship agreement, its sewer system will be consolidated into the Metropolitan Sewer Sub-district (MSSD) and continue servicing the approximately 2,100 residents within the Piedmont community. The Piedmont Public Service District will continue to own and operate the other services it provides, including street lighting, fire protection and recreation.
“Our board is in complete agreement to take responsibility for the Piedmont sanitary sewer system and move forward with providing an improved system for its customers,” said Jim Freeland, chair of the Metropolitan Sewer Sub-district’s Commissioners. “We look forward to conducting this transition with no interruptions to their service.”
With state funding for rehabilitation and replacement authorized by the Clean Water Act, this project will increase the overall efficiency of the entire sewer system and result in potential energy and treatment cost savings of more than a quarter million dollars. At this time, it is not expected that current customers will have to pay to be connected to the new system.
The existing Piedmont sewer system is more than 100 years old, with substantial portions of it being constructed in the 1800s. With 10.8 miles of piping located on both sides of the Saluda River in Anderson and Greenville Counties, Piedmont was ranked with high priority by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) of communities in need of new infrastructure to help ensure maximum environmental and public health benefits.
“The implementation of the new sewer system will have a positive environmental impact for generations to come,” added Jim Gregorie, vice chair of the MSSD Commission. “This project will improve the environmentally sensitive Saluda River and its watershed and protect the wildlife and recreational areas the Piedmont community enjoys.”
Construction of the new sewer system is set to begin mid-year 2011, and public hearings will be scheduled and announced soon to provide more information to Piedmont residents. Sewer maintenance crews will be in the Piedmont area over the next few months conducting initial surveys on the current system.
About PPSD
The Piedmont Public Service District of Anderson and Greenville Counties provides, sewer service, fire protection, recreation and street lighting to its residents. The special purpose district is governed by a board of commissioners elected by the community’s citizens. Commissioners are Ed Poore, Al McAbee, Lib Pack and Rudy Rhodes.
About MSSD
The Metropolitan Sewer Sub-District (MSSD) is a special purpose district created by the state legislature in 1968 to operate and maintain sanitary sewer facilities within Greenville County. Today, MSSD serves approximately 52,500 taxpayers with more than 600 miles of collector lines and is governed by a five-member board of commissioners – James R. Freeland, Jim Gregorie, Charles F. Styles, M. Graham Proffitt, III and William C. Lindsey. This collection system transports wastewater from area homes and businesses to ReWa’s trunk lines and 15 major wastewater treatment plants. MSSD’s 168-square mile service area stretches from northern Greenville County in the Travelers Rest area to the southern portions of the county.
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