Reflecting on 2025: Building Strength Today While Planning for Tomorrow

As 2025 comes to a close, leaders at the Laurens County Water & Sewer Commission (LCWSC) are reflecting not only on projects completed, but on the steady progress made toward building a stronger, more resilient utility for the communities it serves.

“This year has been about balance,” said LCWSC Chairman Ted Davenport. “Balancing the responsibility to maintain what we have, while also making smart, forward-looking investments that position our system for the future.”

Throughout the year, LCWSC focused on preserving and improving existing infrastructure while advancing major projects designed to strengthen reliability, increase capacity, and support continued growth across Laurens County. Among the most significant milestones in 2025 were the construction of two new 1-million-gallon elevated water storage tanks, along with the installation of new waterlines to serve them. These improvements—part of the Metric Road Water Supply and the Hospital Area Water System Improvements—represent uncommon, large-scale investments that directly enhance system pressure, redundancy, and service to critical facilities.

Constructing even one elevated water tank is considered a major undertaking for most utilities. Completing two in a single year brings LCWSC’s total to four new elevated tanks constructed over the past five years, underscoring the commission’s long-term commitment to reliability and growth.

“Advancing two in the same year—and four over the last five years—reflects years of planning, disciplined financial management, and a commitment to ensuring our customers have safe, dependable water service not just today, but decades from now,” said Executive Director Jeff Field.

Beyond these major capital projects, LCWSC continued to address the daily challenges that come with operating a complex water and sewer system, including aging infrastructure, expanding service areas, workforce needs, and rising operational costs. Meeting these challenges requires thoughtful prioritization, collaboration across departments, and ongoing investment in both infrastructure and people.

“Our people are the backbone of this organization,” Field said. “From operations and maintenance to finance and customer service, it takes a dedicated team to keep everything running smoothly.”

That disciplined approach has helped LCWSC remain financially stable while supporting system growth. In 2025 alone, hundreds of new connections were added across the system, increasing both demand and responsibility. Strategic planning and careful oversight ensured that growth did not outpace capacity—an essential factor in protecting public health and maintaining reliable service.

Looking ahead, both Davenport and Field emphasized that LCWSC’s work is far from finished. Long-term sustainability, asset preservation, and proactive planning will continue to guide decision-making in the years ahead.

“We see ourselves as stewards,” Field said. “Stewards of infrastructure, stewards of public trust, and stewards of resources that are essential to daily life. Everything we do is grounded in reliability, safety, and service.”

“Our mission is simple but significant: to provide safe, clean water and reliable wastewater service,” he added. “That requires constant attention—maintaining what we have, improving where needed, and planning thoughtfully for our future.”

As part of its year-end reflection, LCWSC also recognized one of its own for an outstanding professional achievement. Gene Steele, Collection System Manager, was honored as Wastewater Operator of the Year by the South Carolina Rural Water Association (SCRWA) at its annual conference.

“Gene’s recognition by our peers is well deserved and speaks volumes about the caliber of professionals we have on our team,” Field said. “His dedication to his craft and to the communities we serve exemplifies the values that define our organization.”

While infrastructure projects are often the most visible signs of progress, LCWSC leadership notes that the true strength of the organization lies in the skilled professionals who operate, maintain, and safeguard these systems every day.

As LCWSC moves forward, its focus remains on being reliable, proactive, safe, sustainable, and true partners to the communities it serves. The foundation laid in 2025 reflects an organization that is financially sound, operationally focused, and firmly committed to ensuring that every investment made today supports the health, growth, and resilience of Laurens County tomorrow.