Richland County plans upgrades to Broad River Wastewater Treatment Facility

Richland County is planning upgrades to its wastewater treatment facility serving customers in the northwest area to improve system operations and help maintain the water quality in the Broad River.

County Council on Thursday approved funding for planned upgrades to address concerns raised by state environmental regulators over discharges into the Broad River. The upgrades will correct issues associated with the facility’s treatment processes.

The County is working to improve the wastewater system in three phases:

• Phase 1: Includes improvements and upgrades of the disinfection system to increase reliability, efficiency and controls. County officials anticipate having this phase completed in March 2017 to ensure the facility remains in compliance with state and federal standards. The cost estimate for Phase 1 is $1.5 million.

• Phases 2 and 3: Will occur over several years and cover additional upgrades to the facility’s operating systems and equipment.

The performance of the plant is being monitored by staff and currently is operating within regulatory limits, and does not appear to pose an issue to public health.

“The planned upgrades will improve the efficiency and performance of the facility,” said Gerald Seals, interim County Administrator. “We’re committed to funding these upgrades within existing County resources or through the securing of grant funding – and we will not pass along rate increases to our customers.”

Designed and constructed during 2007 and 2008, the Broad River Water Treatment Plant serves about 12,000 mostly residential customers in Irmo, Harbison, Ballentine and unincorporated areas in the northwest portion of the County.

The plant treats water used by homes and businesses to remove contaminants through several processes prior to discharging it into the Broad River. The water is treated to specified levels so that it can be released safely into the environment, but it is not considered drinking water.

In 2015, the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control issued a consent order in which Richland County agreed to make substantial improvements to remain in compliance with the state water quality regulations.

Richland County also operates a wastewater treatment plant that serves the Eastover community. That facility is unaffected by the Broad River Water Treatment Plant.