Watch: DHEC Holds Meeting on Sewer Project

Officials with the Department of Health and Environmental Control met with community members Monday night at Hopkins Park to address their questions about the Lower Richland Sewer Project.

The meeting is part of DHEC’s permitting process  for the project but some residents are less than thrilled about the county’s plans.

Wendy Brawley says it’s been a long two years battling Richland County over the proposed installation of public sewer lines in lower Richland County.

She says the county’s $13 million plan, which would offer an alternative to the wells and septic tanks currently serving the area, are expensive and unnecessary.

According to Brawley, “There are some specific issues that they want to address with people who have had concerns with septic tank problems, and we feel that they should strategically address those surgically, not make a whole rural part of the county subject to this expensive project.”

While there is a $4000 tap fee and a $38 monthly charge for using the system, the county points out that no existing septic systems will be required to connect unless mandated by DHEC.

Councilman Norman Jackson says this should eliminate cost concerns,”If you’re not using the sewer system it doesn’t effect your property. It’s just as simple as that.”

According to Jackson, the proposal comes in direct response to failing septic systems in the area.

He says,”Most of the system there now especially with the schools it’s a saturated ground so much it’s effecting the quality of the water so it’s a needed system for the area.”

He also says that the new sewer lines will improve quality of life for all residents in the area, but for Brawley the county’s justifications leave lingering concerns.

She says, “Don’t make the whole community pay this huge fee and change our whole atmosphere from a rural community. We just don’t think that’s fair.”

DHEC will also be accepting public comment in written form until March 9th.