Winnsboro mayor outlines wastewater plan, $10 million conditional grant for connector line

Winnsboro Mayor McMeekin, who serves as chair of the Fairfield Joint Water and Sewer System Commission, said the county needs a new wastewater treatment capacity to support industrial and residential growth and described work already under way on a $10 million connector project.

“The do nothing option is not a viable,” McMeekin said, summarizing options in the preliminary engineering report and urging action to avoid constraining development. He added, “Hope is not a plan,” when describing the county’s need to move from discussion to construction.

Why it matters: County and town officials said a limited wastewater capacity in Winnsboro and Ridgeway constrains where new homes and businesses can be built. The commission and county leaders say a wastewater line from the industrial park to the Jackson Creek plant and ultimately to a new wastewater treatment facility would unlock capacity needed for…