Aiken City Council Discusses Progress on New $66 Million Water Treatment Facility

Aiken City Council Receives Updates on New Water Treatment Facility

AIKEN, S.C. – The Aiken City Council gathered this week to discuss an important update on the city’s water treatment facility project that is currently in the works. The existing facility, which has served the community for over 70 years, is in need of an upgrade, and plans for a new facility are progressing.

Planning for the Future

City Manager Stuart Bedenbaugh emphasized the significance of the project during the council meeting. “This is going to be something that the community over the next 50-75 years is going to grow, and we have to be cognizant of that and keep pace,” he stated. Project managers from Goodwyn Mills & Cawood attended the meeting to provide updates on the status of the new facility, originally discussed back in April.

Permits in Progress

One of the main focuses since the last update has been obtaining the five essential permits needed to kick off construction. According to Tony Reid, a representative from Goodwyn Mills & Cawood, significant progress has been made. “The majority of the permits are obtained, and we’re waiting on two,” Reid explained. The permits already secured include approvals from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the South Carolina Department of Transportation.

The two remaining permits awaiting approval are an Encroachment Permit needed from Santee Cooper and both Site Building and NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permits from Aiken County. Once these permits are secured, city officials are prepared to break ground on the project.

New Features and Facilities

The planned facility is set to feature many modern updates, including a new chemical building, enhancements to the dam and pumping station, and additional storage space. Reid pointed out the positive impact these improvements will have on the city staff’s working environment, stating, “What we’re going to be able to do is provide a facility that allows the city staff a place that they feel confident coming to work.”

Funding the Project

The estimated cost for the new facility is around $66 million, with funding being sourced from several different avenues. Bedenbaugh outlined key financial details, stating, “We got a $10 million grant from the state of South Carolina, a $27 million low-interest loan from the state’s Rural Infrastructure Authority, and we issued about $32 million worth of bonds.” He went on to explain that the bonds and loan will be paid back over a 30-year period, which is well within the expected lifespan of the new facility.

Capacity and Access to Clean Water

One of the most significant upgrades with the new facility will be its capacity to treat more water. It will accommodate up to 8 million gallons of water per day, a notable increase from the current capacity of 5 million gallons. This upgrade will not only improve the city’s ability to provide clean drinking water but will also enhance the overall efficiency of water treatment processes.

Reid expressed his passion for providing accessible clean water, noting, “Not everybody has access to safe drinking water across the world. So, what we’re able to do is to be more efficient, not only with the way we treat water, but the way that we handle the power, and how we are able to monitor and control the system.”

Looking Ahead

Bedenbaugh remains optimistic about the future, stating that the new plant will be “state-of-the-art and will meet our needs for providing water to our service area for decades to come.” The city is aiming to have all necessary permits in hand by the end of September, after which they will be ready to break ground. Construction of the new facility is anticipated to take around two years, placing the completion target at the end of 2026.

As the Aiken community looks ahead, the new water treatment facility is expected to play a critical role in the city’s infrastructure, ensuring access to clean, safe drinking water for years to come.