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Council OKs $80,000 stormwater feasibility and fee study to address MS4 obligations and aging subdivisions
Summary
The finance committee recommended and council approved an $80,000 feasibility and fee study for stormwater, paid from emergency reserves. Councilmembers cited MS4 regulatory exposure, unmaintained retention ponds, and the need to examine whether a county stormwater program and fee are warranted.
Kershaw County Council voted Aug. 12 to fund an $80,000 feasibility and fee study to evaluate establishing a county stormwater program and user fee.
Councilman Sammy Tucker, who chairs the finance committee, said the study will analyze options for charging for stormwater services and will assess needs in older subdivisions, dirt roads and other drainage‑challenged areas. The committee recommended drawing $80,000 from emergency reserves to pay engineers and consultants conducting the analysis.
Council discussion emphasized the county’s exposure under MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) regulations: if DHEC finds problems such as failing retention ponds in areas the county serves, the county can face substantial fines and remediation costs even if a private developer originally installed a pond. Council members cited an example in another county that negotiated multi‑million‑dollar remediation costs and said standing up a county program and fee may be required to ensure regulatory compliance and long‑term maintenance of stormwater infrastructure.
Council approved the feasibility study and funding unanimously. County staff and the ad hoc stormwater committee will continue work on the study and may present slide materials and findings to full council; council requested staff circulate materials to members for review and follow up.
