As more and more subdivisions come on-line, especially in Northern Laurens County, the more the assets of the Laurens County Water and Sewer Commission grow.
Developers install water, and in some cases sewer, lines to the commission’s specifications and, after clearing an inspection, deed the infrastructure to the commission. This goes on the LCWSC books as an asset, and the commission board was told at its Nov. 25 meeting that these assets now top $40 Million.
The bulk of that is the Lake Greenwood Water Treatment Plant, but lines in the ground also contribute a significant amount to the assets total. Of course, it is something of a double-edged sword - once deeded, the lines become LCWSC’s responsibility to maintain.
Independent Auditor Will Walls, of Love Bailey Associates, the commission’s legally required auditor for the past 8 years, detailed the audit results for the board, and by a unanimous vote the board accepted the audit as an official LCWSC audit.
Another audit will be submitted based on LCWSC receiving federal funds for some of its projects once the feds release the criteria they expect for such an audit.
Capital contributions from state and federal grants and from developers to the LCWSC total $32,159,044. LCWSC has about 1,600 customers in the rural areas of Laurens County.
The 3-year total for grants alone is $17 Million, the audit indicates.
The audit opinion is unmodified (a clean opinion), which is the best opinion that an auditor can provide - the clean opinion shows that the commission’s books were audited in compliance with all established auditing procedures. The audit does not offer suggestions about how the commission should operate or about how it should spend its money.
LCWSC Executive Director Jeff Field said growth in the system is good, but the commission does have to be mindful that as it accepts new water and sewer lines, the increased costs of maintenance comes along with that acceptance. “As we continue to grow, we add expenses related to that growth and we plan for that,” he said.
In addition to the audit, the commission board’s Nov. 25 meeting (the board voted to not have a December meeting since its normal 4th Tuesday would be near Christmas), featured information about an employee’s statewide recognition.
Gene Steele, who has worked nearly 30 years for LCWSC, was awarded the 2025 Wasteweater Collections Operator of the Year by the SC Rutal Warer Association.
LCWSC operates the Bush River Wastewater Treatment Facility, which is located between Joanna and the Newberry County line in eastern Laurens County.
Field also reported on LCWSC, along with Laurens Electric, PRTC, and Laurens CPW, partnering with the Town of Gray Court for a Christmas Tree-lighting. LCWSC owns and operates the town’s water system.
An already established tree, donated by Marcus Cook Farms, was lighted during the ceremony, a first in some time for the Northern Laurens County town which home to the massive ZF Transmissions plant. Also, a large subddivision, Fox Bank, is beginning homes-construction behind the Gray Court-Owings Elementary School. There is a link to photos from the event on the LCWSC Facebook page.
The board also heard about internal growth - LCWSC has expanded its workforce from 43 to 50 employees. The commission will be looking for an Information Technology director, and for water treatment plant operators. Some positions were added during the past year and some growth was attributable to the fact that Lake Greenwood Water Treatment Plant personnel were brought in-house, from the previous contracted-out status.
Field also said LCWSC will be aiming toward a Strategic Plan update after the first of the year.
