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Residents ask Kingstree to extend water service to Sherwood Street, cite health and cost concerns
Summary
Residents from Sherwood Street urged the Kingstree Town Council to extend municipal water after describing sulfur-smelling, sediment-filled well water that stains laundry and raises health and financial burdens; Town Manager Kippton W. Coker pledged a written follow-up by Feb. 16 or March.
Residents from the Kindale Park Subdivision asked the Kingstree Town Council on Feb. 2 to extend municipal water to the back portion of Sherwood Street, saying their private wells produce sulfur-smelling, sediment-laden water that soils clothing and fixtures and creates health and financial burdens.
Mrs. Lashana Barr and Mr. George, joined by Mr. Michael Hammond and Mrs. Vivienne Hammond, told the council that neighbors on the same side of Sherwood Street lack Town water while surrounding streets are served. They described well water that "smells of sulfur and contains sediment," said the sediment leaves orange staining on faucets and clothing, and reported spending extra money on bottled water, filters and cleaning supplies to cope with the problem. The speakers said household members include cancer survivors and a child with chronic asthma, and that Mr. Hammond is receiving chemotherapy — details they raised to underline health concerns tied to reliable drinking water access.
Town Manager Kippton W. Coker responded that Kindale Park had been part of the 2023 Water Project but was removed for funding reasons. Coker committed to researching whether Sherwood Street is within the Town's franchise area, clarifying why the street was excluded from earlier work, and providing a written explanation and update to the residents and Council by the Feb. 16 Council meeting or, if necessary, the March meeting.
The request puts a spotlight on equity in utility service: if Sherwood Street lies within the municipal franchise and was omitted from prior phases for budgetary reasons, Council will face a choice about funding and sequencing an extension. The participants asked the town to consider the immediate health and financial strain of relying on the existing well water.
Council did not take a formal vote on extending service during the meeting. Coker’s commitment to provide a written explanation establishes a near-term follow-up: residents can expect the town’s findings and rationale at the Feb. 16 meeting or the March meeting if more time is needed.
