ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. — Bowman, Santee and Elloree may soon be receiving county resources for wastewater and sewer.
Last Monday, Orangeburg County Council approved an investment in a study for a rural infrastructure and wastewater project.
The county says the purpose of this study is to identify and address current and long-term wastewater and sewer needs of those towns.
Patsy Rhett is the mayor of Bowman, She says her town would directly benefit from a larger sewer infrastructure.
“Right now, we have water, we were blessed to have water," Rhett said. "But now to complete the infrastructure that sewer would be a wonderful addition for the town. Therefore, we can generate people and businesses coming, and we can accommodate them with those necessities of water and sewer because we can’t do it without that.”
Bowman is home to many businesses on the outskirts of town, Rhett says with better facilities, the towns possibilities are endless.
“I think it means a whole lot because without the infrastructure outside the town limits our growth future is bleak," Rhett said. "If we and when we get this sewer in our outskirts, then I believe our town can continue to grow even more. But with that, I want to let you know that we still have some areas in the town limit that we have not been able to secure sewer, so we’re still looking at that also as a possibility.”
The survey will cost $218,000 and the money for the survey is coming from a $250,000 South Carolina Rural Infrastructure grant that the county secured.
The county has also invited the towns of Eutawville and Holly Hill to join as well.