Oconee sewer authority says it wants to work with county

SENECA Sewer authority officials asked Thursday for an opinion from the Oconee County Council on reordering the priorities for sewer projects for years to come.

We want to work with you, Greg Dietterick, chairman of the Oconee Joint Regional Sewer Authority planning and policy committee, told county administrator Scott Moulder.

Moulders appearance before the committee Thursday had been as a move to mend the sometimes sour relations between the sewer authority and the county.

At the committees request, Moulder will consult with county council members about prioritizing proposed sewer projects with an eye toward spawning economic development and job creation.

Many of the projects on a list compiled 10 years ago, such as the Martin Creek expansion and a septic receiving station, can be struck off the list, said Dietterick, who also is Seneca city administrator. The $6.2 million Martin Creek expansion is due for completion within two months. The receiving station is expected to be completed this year.

Another project from 10 years ago, Dietterick said, could be made irrelevant by a sewer line the School District of Oconee County plans to install up S.C. 11 to the site of the new Walhalla High School, scheduled for completion in 2015.

Highest on the county councils list, Moulder said, will be sewer service to the countys Golden Corner Commerce Park, off S.C. 59 near Fair Play, and to exits 2 and 4 on Interstate 85.

Recently completed engineering studies, Moulder said, estimate that between $8 million and $8.5 million could install lines and pump stations at the commerce park and both exits, with a force mainline installed up S.C. 59 back to the sewer authoritys treatment plant on Coneross Creek.

A portion of the money, Moulder said, was expected to come from the downsizing of the countys plans for a new jail from an facility costing an estimated $18.6 million to one estimated at about $8 million.

The county has already issued bonds for $17 million to fund the jail project, with the money banked until a final decision about the jail is reached.

View original post here:
Oconee sewer authority says it wants to work with county