Regional Collaboration Improves Water Service For Local Community

Greenville Water Completes Project to Provide Direct Service to Slater
 
GREENVILLE, SC – June 8, 2012 – A few years ago Slater, a former mill village located near Travelers Rest and Marietta, faced an infrastructure challenge and could no longer efficiently provide water and sewer service to the community.  Fortunately for residents, a collaborative effort among Greenville Water, Greenville County, Slater Water & Sewer District, MetroConnects and the South Carolina Department of Transportation led to a successful outcome and provided a solution for all Slater residents.
 
Upgrading and replacing aging pipes is an issue faced by many communities, especially small communities served by local, independent water or sewer systems. The situation was no different for Slater Water & Sewer District whose leadership recognized that leaks in the system and aging pipes limited the district’s ability to provide affordable, quality water to the community’s 216 residences. At the time, the Slater Water & Sewer District purchased its water supply from Greenville Water through a wholesale account.
 
“When Greenville Water learned about Slater’s situation, the Commission felt it had a responsibility to help find a solution so that residents would have a safe, reliable and affordable water supply,” explained David Bereskin, Greenville Water CEO.  “We worked closely with all the parties to make it happen. The collaboration demonstrated by all is a great example of how we can better serve the community.”
 
Following multiple discussions led by Bereskin, the decision was made by the Greenville Water Commission in May 2011 for Greenville Water to assume responsibility for water delivery to Slater and to dissolve Slater Water & Sewer District.  The decision required a significant infrastructure investment and funding was made possible through a collective effort. Less than a year since the project began in July 2011, Greenville Water completed the installation of 20,615 feet of new water mains at a total cost of $1,000,002, the majority of which was funded through State Revolving Fund (SRF) monies, with Greenville Water and Greenville County equally sharing the remaining costs.
 
“The Slater community solved a significant problem thanks to the leadership shown by Greenville Water,” noted one of the project’s champions, Greenville County Councilman Joe Dill.  “The Commission came together with the County to make sure the residents not only had water, but they also had improved service and water quality.”
 
“After this experience, I know that Greenville Water cares about the community.  They didn’t have to do this,” explained Councilman Dill whose district includes the Slater community.
 
According to those involved, Councilman Dill’s engagement helped drive the effort and ensured strong communication between Slater Water, Greenville County and Greenville Water.  Also credited with the project’s success were state legislators Senator Phillip Shoopman, Senator Lewis Vaughn, Representative Tom Corbin, and Representative Harry Cato.
 
In addition to the water supply issue, a separate project was completed prior to the water project to remedy issues that Slater faced with sewer service needs. These issues were addressed through a partnership with Renewable Water Resources (ReWa) and MetroConnects. As a result of these collective efforts, the Slater community now has a modern and sustainable water and sewer system to serve its residents for years to come.
 

About Greenville Water
Greenville Water provides service to nearly 500,000 residents of the Upstate region of South Carolina.  Recognizing that water service is critical to the health and well-being of its customers and for the growth and economic vitality of the community, Greenville Water ensures the reliable delivery of high-quality water through careful stewardship of its resources. Greenville Water is committed to providing exceptional service and utilizing safe and effective methods for providing water, while adhering to and surpassing health and safety standards. Governed by an elected Commission of Public Works, Greenville Water is the state’s largest water utility.