Spartanburg Water System announces its responsibilities in implementing the South Carolina Governor’s executive orders 2020-13 and 2020-16

In compliance with Governor Henry McMaster’s latest executive order, Executive Order 2020-16, in response to the COVID-19 outbreak in South Carolina, all public boat ramps, landings and fishing areas/piers at Spartanburg Water Systems Lake Bowen, Municipal Reservoir #1 Lake Blalock are closed. 

The governor’s executive order authorizes and instructs the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), in consultation with the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) and the Attorney General’s office, to provide any necessary supplemental guidance. SCDNR has released guidance that states, “Executive Order 2020-16 does not prohibit fishing, but it does restrict access to public facilities for recreational purposes” for the duration of the State of Emergency.  

Governors Executive Order 2020-13, prohibits the gathering of people in groups of three (3) or more, to respond to the social distancing necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19.  Spartanburg Water is committed to protecting the public health of our community and we are asking our neighbors around the reservoirs to obey the Governors Executive Order and observe the limits on gathering of people in the buffer area and docks on Spartanburg Water property surrounding Lake Bowen, Lake Blalock and Municipal Reservoir #1. 

The Spartanburg Water System Lake Wardens are commissioned law enforcement officers of the State of South Carolina and under the authorization contained in the Governor’s Executive Order 2020-13 have the authority and duty to prohibit or disperse any congregation or gathering of people in groups of three (3) or more people on all Spartanburg Water System owned property around the reservoirs. Specifically this applies to groups of three (3) or more people gathering below the 720’ MSL at Lake Blalock, 827’MSL at Lake Bowen, and below the780’MSL at Municipal Reservoir #1.   

Lake Wardens will continue to patrol the parks and lakes, and enforce, where necessary, the directives of the Governor’s Executive Orders.

Spartanburg Water System is committed to protecting the public health of our community.  This commitment is even more important during this State of Emergency. We ask that our neighbors on the reservoirs understand that SWS is working to protect the health of the people who live and work in Spartanburg County.  In addition, adjacent lake property owners, their families and guests are asked to observe recommended social distancing on their private property as well.

The COVID-19 Pandemic can be stopped, and we all must do our individual parts to make this happen as soon as possible.

To reach the Lake Bowen Warden’s Office, please call: (864) 592-2240; Lake Blalock Warden’s Office: (864) 578-5442; and for emergency assistance, please dial 911 first, then call our Lake Warden Emergency Number at (864) 578-2764. 

About Spartanburg Water

Spartanburg Water, an award-winning utility, is comprised of Spartanburg Water System and Spartanburg Sanitary Sewer District. It serves a population of nearly 200,000 within Spartanburg County, as well as others in parts of Greenville, Union and Cherokee counties. With the help of its dedicated team of nearly 300 employees, each day it produces an average of 25 million gallons of drinking water and cleans 14 million gallons of reclaimed water for its customers and community.