Kershaw County approves conveyance of water facilities for Black River and Mount Olivet roads to regional water authority

Kershaw County Council on April 22 approved on second reading an ordinance authorizing conveyance of certain water facilities and public right-of-way on Black River Road and Mount Olivet Road to the Kershaw and Lee County Regional Water Authority. Council voted unanimously.

Economic development staff and county attorney materials describe the line as originally installed to serve the Governors Hill Business Park and an industrial user. Administrator Jeff Burgess said the county invested in the line, funded largely by grants, and that turning it over puts direct control, maintenance and repair responsibility with the water authority that now supplies the area. “The county is not the party repairing them or replacing them,” the county attorney said.

The conveyance includes language that the water authority will assume repair, maintenance and regulatory compliance once a customer comes online and begins using the line. Council members said the handover will put the asset into the hands of the appropriate operator and remove a contingent county liability for repairs.

Councilman Tucker and others characterized the conveyance as part of an economic-development strategy to make the business park viable. The second reading passed unanimously; supporting documents include a certificate of termination and waiver of a prior bulk-water agreement with the City of Camden that staff said will be finalized upon third reading.