Lower Richland residents vow to continue fight against sewer line

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HOPKINS, S.C. (WOLO) — Richland County is moving ahead with plans for the Lower Richland sewer project. A new line will carry wastewater to an existing treatment plant here in Eastover. More than 60 people gathered at Monday’s meeting hosted by Hopkins and Lower Richland Citizens United. The purpose was to update residents about their efforts to stop the sewer project. Richland County councilman Norman Jackson, who originally proposed the line back in 2005, says the project is full steam ahead. “It has been approved and we are moving forward,” he says. Hopkins resident, and Citizens United spokeswoman Wendy Brawley says that’s not true. “The truth of the matter is, they haven’t given third reading to this project,” she says. Brawley says community members were told about the project a year ago, with no warning. “For them to say that it’s a done deal without the community’s input, without the community having the opportunity to voice their opinions is so wrong on so many levels,” she says. Though, Councilman Jackson says, he’s personally met with residents about the project, at multiple meetings. “You have a group protesting something that has been discussed and approved, have several community meetings, everything was public,” he says. Project foes stress their anxieties about the costs that will come with this project. Though Councilman Jackson says if residents sign up for the tap-in before next month’s deadline, it’s free. He says if you miss the deadline a tap-in will set you back $4,000. There are more meetings about this project. Thursday, July 30 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Richland Co. Sheriff’s Dept. Region 1 Substation 2615 Lower Richland Blvd., Columbia Tuesday, August 11 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Hopkins Park 150 Hopkins Park Rd., Hopkins Tuesday, August 18 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Gadsden Elementary School 1660 South Goodwin Circle, Gadsden Thursday, August 27 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Hopkins Middle School 1601 Clarkson Rd., Hopkins