Grand Strand Water & Sewer News
DWSRF Notice – International Drive 36” Transmission Main
May 25, 2023
The International Drive 36” Transmission Main Project is being financed by the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). The DWSRF program is administered by the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) and the South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (SCRIA) with joint funding from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
This project is designed to provide increased capacity and redundancy within the GSWSA water system. The construction of the International Drive Booster Pump Station will require a transmission main to tie-in to the distribution system. The existing infrastructure in the northern portion of the distribution system is not equipped to handle increased demand, nor does the existing infrastructure allow for proper hydraulics. A new transmission main will allow for more operator flexibility and redundancy in the system.
The proposed project will include all valves, fittings, bores, hydrants, connections, and pipe required for the transmission main. There were three (3) alternatives considered for this project. The first alternative was to have no action, which would have low pressures that do not meet requirements set forth by the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), nor would the existing system meet reliable fire flow demands. The second alternative would be to run the transmission main parallel to an existing 20” transmission main. The issue with this alternative is that the transmission main would run through a protected heritage preserve. This would cause environmental impacts and would encroach Santee Cooper’s right-of-way. The final alternative is to route approximately 9 miles of 36” transmission main through the outer edge of the adjacent heritage preserve in existing cleared areas to minimize impacts. The route of this transmission main is a viable option to meet the demands in the northern portion of the GSWSA service area.
The estimated cost of the project is $33,850,000 which includes all required valves, fittings, hydrants, bores, pipe, and gravel road improvements.
The project will have minimal impacts to wetlands. There will be some clearing along portions of the transmission main route. Prior to construction, surveys will be conducted for potential impacts. There are not any anticipated environmental impacts that will adversely affect the project area at this time.
Grand Strand Water & Sewer Authority (GSWSA) will host a public hearing on Monday, June 26, 2023 during its regular scheduled board meeting, to discuss the project and to hear public comments. Members of the public are welcome to attend and provide comment for the public record. The meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. and take place at the Grand Strand Water & Sewer Authority Administration Center located at 166 Jackson Bluff Road, Conway, SC 29526.
