NEWBERRY —The Newberry County Water and Sewer Authority has voted to enter an engineering contract with Summit Engineering for the extension of a 16-inch line along S.C. 773 to Mid-Carolina Commerce Park.
NCWSA Manager Brent Richardson presented to the board information regarding the Mid-Carolina Commerce Park Water Main, which falls as a One Cent Sales Tax project.
“This is right at a $1.4 million project to extend a 16-inch line along S.C. 773 out to the Mid-Carolina Commerce Park. Where we stand to date is that we have forwarded for a request for proposals for engineering service, we have received five proposals and we would like for the board to consider a recommendation tonight so we can get the project moving,” said Richardson.
Richardson said that through scoring and evaluation, Summit Engineering got the highest score of the other proposals.
Board member Lewis Lee made the motion to enter into an engineering contract with Summit Engineering and board member Tim Nichols seconded the motion.
Richardson also presented the Construction and Operation Report to the board.
Raw water turbidity at the Lake Murray Water Treatment Plant was 0.89 NTU, which is slightly lower than the previous month. Settled water turbidity was 0.12 NTU and combined filtered turbidity was 0.05 NTU. Construction on the laboratory will be completed by Sept. 30, 2017.
“The raw water turbidity is probably the lowest I’ve ever seen it and that’s because the water coming out of the lake is really clean. The plant is running really good and is in compliance. We’re making some good headway with the laboratory construction and we’re going to wait until it cools off a little bit before we have a board meeting down there,” said Richardson.
The water distribution department reported five main line breaks at St. Phillips Church Road, Kibler’s Bridge Road and Bay Court. It was reported that seven new water services were installed.
“We did have a good many main line breaks, but they weren’t terrible, most were minor leaks,” said Richardson.
Richardson reported there is movement with the Macedonia Church Road Project. He also reported no activity from the Creekside Drive Sewer Extension (Bedford Way Subdivision).
“The Cannons Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility is running really good. We had some trouble with Basin #2 and we’re back again working on that,” said Richardson.
NCWSA’s wastewater collection department reported no main line breaks. Pump station repairs included installing a replacement pump #2 and starter at Georgia Pacific and awaiting repair of a 12 Hp pump at the Lake Murray Water Treatment Plant. Three new sewer services were also installed.
NCWSA Assistant Manager Daniel Quattlebaum presented the monthly financial summary.
“In July, water revenue was at $273,075 against $252,069 with a $21,006 positive result. Water revenue is ahead of budget projection,” said Quattlebaum.
Sewer revenue for the month totaled at $85,776, against $98,992 in sewer expenses, resulting in a $13,216 loss for the month.
“July is usually rough on the expense side, but it will hopefully start to level out,” said Quattlebaum.
Other business:
• Richardson gave an update on the Newberry Shores/ Bedford Way Flow Diversion regarding funding by the USDA, adding minor additions to the bid document. The NCWSA is awaiting for closing documents from USDA to move forward with the project.
Richardson also informed the Board about the SCSPD – Educational Conference which will be held from Oct. 11 through Oct. 13 and gave the year-end operation and maintenance summary and updated the board on technology improvements that are in progress or will be utilized in 2018.