Laurens County — The Laurens County Water and Sewer Commission (LCWSC) has secured $4.42 million in federal funding, with the support of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, to design and construct a new two-million-gallon clearwell for additional water storage at its Lake Greenwood Water Treatment Facility. This project represents a major investment in protecting and strengthening Laurens County’s drinking water system.
“This is a important investment in the critical infrastructure our community depends on every single day,” said Jeff Field, Executive Director of LCWSC. “Reliable access to clean, abundant drinking water is essential for public health, economic development, and overall quality of life in Laurens County.”
The funding for this project follows extensive engagement by LCWSC leadership to communicate the urgency, value, and long-term impact of the investment. Executive Director Jeff Field worked closely with Senator Graham’s Upstate Regional Office, led by Ms. Angela Omer, to clearly outline the system’s needs and the importance of strengthening Laurens County’s drinking water infrastructure. Through ongoing discussions and coordination, LCWSC provided detailed insight into system demands, future growth, and the critical role this project plays in maintaining safe and reliable service. That proactive effort ensured the project was well understood and positioned as a priority for federal funding consideration.
“Projects like this don’t happen by chance,” said Ted Davenport, Chairman of the LCWSC Board of Commissioners. “It takes a clear vision, strong planning, and the ability to communicate why these investments are essential — not just for today, but for the future of our community. We were able to demonstrate the need and the impact this project will have for Laurens County.”
Once completed, the new clearwell will strengthen system reliability, improve resilience during extreme weather events, and help ensure that Laurens County continues to have safe, dependable drinking water for years to come.
Investments like this are vital to supporting growth, protecting public health, and maintaining the infrastructure that communities rely on every day.
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Dear Friend,
As a veteran who served 33 years in the United States Air Force, Air National Guard and Reserves, I am clear-eyed that my number one job as your United States Senator is the safety of our citizens. I am equally driven, however, to provide needed dollars for South Carolina. As Chairman of the Budget Committee and senior member of the Appropriations and Judiciary Committees, I’ve been able to deliver federal dollars to our state for critical needs that address everything from cutting-edge medical equipment and addressing the state-wide nursing shortages, necessary road, bridge and clean water infrastructure projects, and ensuring our first responders are equipped with the latest crime fighting and lifesaving tools.
In fact, just this term alone, I have secured over $1.3 billion in direct spending to South Carolina--and $715,510,195 since Fiscal Year 2024. Had I not secured these funds, this money would have undoubtedly been sent to a nameless Washington bureaucrat who could care less about our community. I wasn’t going to let that happen.
I wanted to highlight a small sample of the work I’m doing in your community. You deserve nothing less than an understanding of how these dollars are helping you instead of being handed over to a Washington bureaucrat.
During the most recent funding cycle, I secured $4.42 million in federal funding to support the design and construction of a new two-million-gallon water storage and purification tank for the Laurens County Water and Sewer Commission’s water treatment plant. This agency provides wastewater management services to residents, farms and businesses throughout Laurens County and plays a critical role in delivering safe drinking water across the entire region.
I believe this project will improve water quality and strengthen the reliability of the county’s water infrastructure. The project will also strengthen system resilience during extreme weather events and emergency conditions. Once completed, this investment will bolster Laurens County’s water infrastructure and help ensure the community has safe and reliable drinking water for years to come.
In my view, rural communities, such as Laurens County, represent the backbone of South Carolina. Unfortunately, too often, Washington insiders overlook these areas because they fail to understand your needs. However, I know that in order for Laurens to prosper and attract new investments, reliable infrastructure is a critical ingredient for future success. I’m excited that this project not only fulfills residents’ essential needs but will also contribute to the community’s long-term growth.
Virtually every day over the past 5 ½ years, I’ve met with South Carolinians who make their case for funding. My passion for our state and my position in the U.S. Senate places me in a truly unique position to deliver for South Carolina. I will gladly put my record up against any elected official in the country.
I hope you found this note beneficial and understand that I will always take care of the needs of South Carolina first and I will ALWAYS have your back.
Sincerely,
Lindsey O. Graham, United States Senator
