Beaufort Jasper Water and Sewer Authority (BJWSA) continues to support its mission statement to “Inspire Trust and Enhance Public Health” through its capital projects program. One capital project that is aimed at improving water quality is the galvanized pipe replacement program. This multi-year project started by addressing areas with the worst water quality.
As the FY21 fiscal year wraps up, the following streets have sections where replacement work remains: Calhoun Street, Church Street, and Pine Court. With a new fiscal year starting in July, a new list of street sections selected for this project will be identified.
For the next phases of the work, neighborhoods will be identified rather than individual street sections. For FY22, the planning and design for remaining galvanized lines in the Pigeon Point community will be addressed with construction anticipated to start in the spring of 2022.
All of these projects include new PVC water mains, fire hydrants, water services, and meter boxes.
As a reminder, the replacement of water service lines to customers is provided only to the meter. BJWSA will not be replacing any water services on private property between the meter and the house.
Once these lines are replaced, there should be noticeable improvement in water quality throughout the neighborhood. Water pressure improvements may also be observed.
Water main project coming
While many efforts are being made to improve water quality and water pressure throughout the Beaufort area, efforts are also being made to make water more available to BJWSA customers.
In the fall of 2020, BJWSA began its first design-build project. Design-build is a project delivery method where the designer, contractor, and owner work as a team to complete a construction project.
BJWSA’s design-build project includes a large-diameter water transmission main that will be constructed from Robert Smalls Parkway to Duke Street (shown by heavy purple line on map). Approximately half of the project will be placed along the Spanish Moss Trail and the majority of the other half will be placed in North Street.
This 20-inch water transmission main will improve service for our customers, maximize capacity for emergencies such as fire protection, and ensure compliance with S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control requirements.
Construction is anticipated to start this fall and end this time next summer.
A community meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 15, to provide more information about this project Those who are interested in learning more about this project can register for the meeting at https://bjwsa_beaufort.eventbrite.com.