MONCKS CORNER, S.C. – (Monday, April 1, 2024) – Stakeholders celebrated a ground-breaking ceremony for the Orangeburg-Berkeley Reach Water Line Project earlier this morning, Thursday, March 28, 2024. The event took place near a stretch of the project area in front of Ebenezer AME Zion Church in Holly Hill.
This Orangeburg-Berkeley Reach Water Line project will connect a new 20-inch water transmission line to an existing 24-inch water transmission main on Highway 453 near the Town of Holly Hill. The line will extend the water transmission main approximately 16 miles to the southeast and connect to a main located at Volvo Cars Drive, northeast of the Town of Ridgeville in Berkeley County. This project area parallels Boyer Road to the intersection with US Highway 176 and then continues to parallel US-176 to its southern terminus near the intersection with Center Line Road in Berkeley County.
The additional water line capacity will support future and existing development needs, including approximately 210,000 people currently residing in unincorporated Berkeley County and the municipalities of Moncks Corner, Summerville, and Goose Creek. The water transmission line will also serve the 3,000-acre Camp Hall Industrial Park where Volvo Cars has its manufacturing facility. The line will also provide water to the western rural part of Berkeley County—currently on well water—bringing much-needed potable water to areas currently using well water and provide these areas fire protection.
“This initiative is a significant step forward in our efforts to provide safe drinking water to families and businesses across South Carolina, including the site of the Volvo Cars manufacturing facility in Berkeley County. Critical efforts such as these not only support existing development, but also pave the way for future growth. I’m pleased that the funding I have secured over the years, up through the Fiscal Year 2023 federal government appropriations package, helped to make this project a reality.” – James E. Clyburn, US Congressman, SC-06
“Berkeley County is proud to partner on this critical initiative to provide clean and sustainable drinking water to more communities throughout our County and region, particularly in rural areas. Water is a basic life necessity, and this project is a worthy investment that will improve the quality of life for the current population and generations to come.” –Johnny Cribb, Berkeley County Supervisor
“As growth continues in our area, an ample supply of clean drinking water is essential to our community members and economic development. Santee Cooper is proud to be part of the team that’s helping to grow the Lake Marion Regional Water System and supporting our communities.” -Marty Watson, Santee Cooper Chief Commercial Officer
“Orangeburg County is proud to be a part of the Lake Marion water system. We see our dreams come true as we expand water services to the eastern end of the county. This will impact our citizens tremendously and better their quality of life. It’s a great day in Orangeburg County!”-Harold Young, Orangeburg County Administrator
“The work of this partnership began with the Lake Marion Water Treatment Plant in 2008. With the completion of this new reach, over 90-miles of water pipelines have been added to support the areas residents and businesses. This groundbreaking is yet another example of the immense benefits from federal, state, and local governments working side-by-side. This strong partnership, which we have maintained for many years, continues to strengthen the communities and people we all work so diligently to serve.” – LTC Robert W. Nahabedian, Commanding Officer, US Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District
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– Prepared by the Berkeley County Public Information Office –
