Lake Marion Regional Water Agency Breaks Ground on Winding Woods Reach and Water Tank
ST. GEORGE, S.C. – The Lake Marion Regional Water Agency, Dorchester County, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Santee Cooper, with special guest Congressman James E. Clyburn, today held a groundbreaking ceremony in St. George for the Lake Marion Regional Water System’s Winding Woods Reach and elevated water tank.
This new reach and elevated storage tank will supply water to the Winding Woods Commerce Park, a $100 million industrial site on U.S. Highway 78 near I-95 in Dorchester County, where an estimated 450 new jobs will be created. The project will serve current and future industries at Winding Woods Commerce Park, Woodland High School, Dorchester County Courthouse and the greater St. George area.
“Throughout my Congressional tenure, I have made it my mission to fix the water issues in this region. Without adequate potable water, residents in this area will continue to have significant healthcare and economic opportunity challenges,” said Congressman James E. Clyburn. “Today’s groundbreaking for the Winding Woods Reach builds on the tremendous progress the Lake Marion Regional Water Agency has made over the last two decades and will help ensure that current and future generations continue to benefit from this life changing project.”
The Winding Woods project includes a 7.8-mile waterline reach from Harleyville to St. George, which is scheduled to be completed in January 2023, and a 500,000-gallon water tank, scheduled to be completed in November 2022, that will be located in the Winding Woods Industrial Park. The project also includes the installation of 28 fire hydrants along the new reach.
Lake Marion Regional Water Agency Chairman, Johnnie Wright said, "The Winding Woods Water Tank and Winding Woods Reach project will make an important connection to the Lake Marion Regional Water System, and it will complete the agency's goal of bringing water to the St. George area."
The anticipated cost of the project is $17.6 million, which includes $12.8 million for the Winding Woods Reach and $4.8 million for the Winding Woods elevated water tank. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is funding 75% of the project and Dorchester County is funding 25%. Santee Cooper, which owns and manages the water system, helped acquired the property for the Agency and worked with consultants from Hazen and Sawyer on engineering and design, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is constructing the project.
Bill Hearn, Chairman, Dorchester County Council, said, “The Winding Woods Water Tank and Reach project is the culmination of the efforts and dedication of so many committed people over several decades. We cannot underestimate the impact that this project will have on western Dorchester County in terms of community development, economic development, and public safety.”
“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District is honored to be a part of today’s groundbreaking for the Winding Woods Reach of the Lake Marion Regional Water System. This is the seventh water transmission project that the Charleston District has constructed,” said Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Johannes, Commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District. “We are proud to help bring a reliable water supply to the some of the rural areas in this part of the state with our partners at the Lake Marion Regional Water Agency and Santee Cooper. Providing this type of environmental infrastructure and watching the development and economic growth for the residents and businesses has been very rewarding.”
Jane Campbell, Senior Director of Environmental and Water Systems with Santee Cooper, said, “An ample supply of clean water is important for a healthy, prosperous community. It is critical for the people who live here, and it is a game changer for economic development. The Winding Woods Reach and elevated water tank is soon to be another successful chapter in the story of the Lake Marion Regional Water System, and Santee Cooper is proud to be part of the team and part of the story.”
About
Calhoun, Berkeley, Dorchester, and Orangeburg counties and the Town of Santee are the members of the Lake Marion Regional Water Agency (LMRWA). Each of these counties has water deserts where large quantities of safe drinking water is unavailable. The LMWRA, working in partnership with Santee Cooper and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has constructed over 45 miles of water transmission lines to provide clean drinking water, enhanced fire suppression and economic growth to the desert areas.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District has a unique and varied program that grows larger every year. The Civil Works, Navigation, Regulatory, Emergency Management, Military, and Interagency and International Services programs serve a diverse group of customers that span not only South Carolina, but also globally, which keeps the staff of more than 240 quite busy. The Corp’s role in projects like the Winding Woods Reach is to review the engineering design, ensure environmental compliance, advertise and award a contract, oversee the construction, and certify the real estate. While continually focusing on the customer base, the District proudly supports and serves the interests of the nation by developing and facilitating innovative and effective solutions that meet engineering, environmental and emergency management needs for South Carolina, the U.S. Army and the nation.
Santee Cooper is South Carolina’s largest power provider and the ultimate source of electricity for
2 million people across the state. Through its low-cost, reliable and environmentally responsible electricity and water services, and through innovative partnerships and initiatives that attract and retain industry and jobs, Santee Cooper helps power South Carolina. To learn more, visit santeecooper.com and follow #PoweringSC on social media.
