Edgefield County faces sewer capacity crisis stalling development

In a recent government meeting, officials discussed significant challenges regarding wastewater treatment capacity in Edgefield County, which is impacting both residential and commercial development. The discussions highlighted the limitations of the regional sewer system, particularly the Horse Creek wastewater treatment facility, which is currently operating at or near its permitted capacity.

Edgefield County's wastewater treatment infrastructure includes the Brook Street plant, with a capacity of 750,000 gallons per day, and a Johnston facility rated at 900,000 gallons per day. However, the regional system, which serves multiple counties, is constrained by permit capacity as determined by the Department of Environmental Services (DHEC). This has led to a moratorium on new sewer connections, effectively halting potential developments.

Officials noted that while the physical capacity of the Horse Creek facility allows for treatment of up to 20 million gallons per day, the permitted capacity is a critical issue. The facility is currently treating between 12 to 15 million gallons daily, but the permitted capacity does not reflect this operational reality, limiting new connections for both residential subdivisions and commercial enterprises.

To address these challenges, Horse Creek is in the process of designing a 6 million gallon per day upgrade, which could potentially allow for the sale of additional capacity. However, the timeline for this upgrade remains uncertain, and officials are actively working with North Augusta to negotiate capacity allocations for existing requests.

The meeting underscored the urgency of resolving these capacity issues, as local leaders expressed concerns about the implications for economic development. Without immediate solutions, the county risks losing out on potential industries and housing developments, which are crucial for growth.

In summary, Edgefield County is facing a sewer capacity crisis that has led to a moratorium on new connections, with officials exploring upgrades and negotiations to alleviate the situation. The outcome of these efforts will be pivotal for the county's future development prospects.