Laurens County Water and Sewer Commission Featured in National “Rural Water Strong” Campaign

February 3, 2025

The Laurens County Water and Sewer Commission (LCWSC) was recently highlighted in the National Rural Water Association’s (NRWA) “Rural Water Strong” campaign, a nationwide initiative aimed at raising awareness about the importance of safe drinking water and wastewater treatment in rural communities. This campaign advocates for increased funding, infrastructure improvements, and enhanced operator training to support underserved areas, ultimately improving public health and quality of life.

LCWSC’s inclusion in the campaign was due to its successful use of USDA Rural Development (USDA RD) funding for the planning and construction of the Lake Greenwood Water Treatment Facility and Raw Water Intake Facility. “We are honored to be part of the Rural Water Strong campaign,” said Jeff Field, Executive Director of LCWSC. “The Lake Greenwood Water Treatment Facility and Raw Water Intake project is one of the most significant capital investments in Laurens County’s history. Without the financial support from USDA RD, this project would not have been possible.”

Field emphasized that USDA RD’s favorable rates and terms made the project viable, ensuring a long-term, sustainable water source while keeping costs manageable. “This funding allowed us to maintain stable water rates for our customers, support community growth, and provide consistent water quality across our service area,” he added.

KC Price, LCWSC’s Engineering Manager, highlighted the project’s advanced capabilities. “USDA RD funding enabled us to construct a state-of-the-art facility featuring some of the most advanced water treatment processes available today. The plant can produce 4.0 million gallons per day (MGD) of high-quality drinking water, with the ability to expand to 18.0 MGD or more as needed.”

Field also underscored the importance of continued investment in water infrastructure. “While the Lake Greenwood Water Treatment Facility is a major milestone, we must remain forward-thinking, continuously evaluating priorities to meet the evolving needs of our communities.”

LCWSC remains dedicated to ongoing infrastructure improvements, with USDA RD funding supporting key projects such as the Metric Road Elevated Tank and Waterline Project and Clinton Area Sewer Improvements. The Metric Road projects include the installation of a new 16-inch waterline along Raider Road, Whelon Road, Welcome Church Road, Metric Road, and Highway 14, along with the construction of a 1-million-gallon elevated water tank. “This project will strengthen our ability to serve customers in northern Laurens County with water from the Lake Greenwood facility,” said Field.

In Clinton, the current project involves replacing approximately 11,000 linear feet of 12-inch sewer force main with a 16-inch force main along Springdale Drive, from Millers Fork to State Road S-30-547. Additionally, upgrades will be made to the existing Sand Creek and Millers Fork sewer lift stations. “This project enhances system safety and reliability, replaces aging infrastructure, improves capacity, and ensures we are prepared for future growth in the Clinton area,” Field explained.

He concluded by emphasizing the critical role of USDA RD funding. “This financial support is essential in making infrastructure projects feasible without placing undue strain on local resources or ratepayers. It allows us to ensure a reliable, long-term water supply and to continue delivering high-quality, cost-effective water and sewer services to Laurens County—both now and for future generations.”

To learn more about this campaign and read the Impact in Action article about LCWSC please visit https://www.ruralwaterstrong.org/impact-in-action.

Lake Greenwood Water Treatment Facility

 Construction of Elevated Water Tank on Metric Road

Water line construction on Highway 14 to Elevated Water Tank on Metric Road

Millers Fork Lift Station