Kershaw County recently announced a grant award from the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) to protect water quality in the Lake Wateree Watershed. This project is being funded, in part, by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and made possible by the SCDES. The $199,399 grant will allow Kershaw County and partnering organizations to work with homeowners within the watershed to identify and repair or replace failing septic systems. This award follows a previous 319 grant awarded through SCDES in the Twenty-Five Mile Creek Watershed which also addressed bacteria and nutrient sources from failing septic systems.
The Lake Wateree Septic 319 Project will provide up to 60% cost share assistance to homeowners within the watershed for septic repair or replacement to protect and improve water quality. Applicants will be required to provide a completed application and two quotes for repairing or replacing their system (or three quotes if total cost is greater than $10,000). Because limited funding is available, septic systems in close proximity to tributaries, streams, or Lake Wateree will be prioritized. Kershaw County residents of the Lake Wateree Watershed who are interested in applying for grant support to repair or replace their failing septic systems may email Lucas Clifford at lucas.clifford@wsp.com, or call 803-451-3679.