Like many utilities across the country, Charleston Water System has aging infrastructure in need of replacement. Additionally, new infrastructure is necessary to meet the demands of a growing region and meet increasingly stringent regulatory requirements.
To determine and prioritize capital needs, Charleston Water System conducts periodic master planning studies, which look at future growth; infrastructure age, condition, and risk of failure; regulatory requirements, etc.
Needs identified by this master planning are then included in Capital Improvements Programs, which are developed every three to five years and funded by issuing revenue bonds repaid through our water and sewer rates.
2011 - 2013 Capital Improvements Program (CIP)
Approved by Charleston Water's Board of Commissioners on September 28, 2010, this CIP includes seven high-priority projects totalling $85 million.
The projects will be funded by issuing revenue bonds, pending approval by Charleston City Council. The largest project included in this CIP is the $51 million West Ashley Sewer Tunnel Replacement, the fifth phase of the Sewer Tunnel Replacement Project.
2011 Capital Improvements Program Overview (PDF)
2006 Capital Improvements Program Update
This CIP included 79 water and sewer projects and was funded by proceeds from a 2006 bond issue. Most of the projects that have been completed, some of which are highlighted below.
For a complete overview of all 79 projects, read the 2006 Capital Improvements Program Summary Report (PDF).
Phase 1 Filtration and Chemical Storage Improvements – Water Treatment Plant
$22 million
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Filtration is a critical part of the water treatment process. This project involved building a new filter building with four filters, constructing a larger (7-foot diameter) pipe to carry more water to the final step of the treatment process, and building a new storage area for treatment chemicals. |
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Elevated storage tank – Water Treatment Plant
$6 million
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This 1.5 million-gallon elevated storage tank at the Hanahan Water Treatment Plant stores water that’s used for cleaning the filter basins. It also serves as a backup water supply to maintain system pressure leaving the plant in case of sudden loss of power to the main pumps. |
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Peninsula Trunk Main Improvements Phase 1A
$18.3 million
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This 4-foot diameter transmission main—the largest in our system—carries water south from the treatment plant to Lincoln Avenue in North Charleston where it connects to existing transmission mains. Future phases will extend the main to the Charleston peninsula.
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America Street and Pitt Street Water Main Replacement Projects
$2.6 million
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Century-old water mains in two downtown neighborhoods were replaced with new pipes to improve water pressure and service reliability.
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Hollywood/Ravenel Water Main Extension Ph. 1
$1.7 million
Installed a new 16-inch water main along Old Jacksonboro Road to boost water pressure and fire protection for Hollywood and Ravenel. It's the first phase in a three-phase project.
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Phase 1 Electrical System and Blower Building – Wastewater Treatment Plant
$15 million
This new building at the Plum Island Wastewater Treatment Plant houses four large blowers, which generate air that’s pumped into the plant’s nine aeration basins. The air bubbles help support microorganisms that digest pollutants in the wastewater. |
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Lower King Street Wastewater Improvements
$835,000
Installed new lining in the sewer pipe and service laterals on Lower King Street during the City’s streetscape project. |
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Various Wastewater Pump Station and Sewer Main Rehabilitation and Improvement Projects
Approximately $40 million
This is a summary of projects related to improving existing sewer pump stations or building new ones. Charleston Water System has more than 185 pump stations to move wastewater through the collection system to the treatment plant. |
For more information, call (843) 727-6856 or click here to send us an e-mail.
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