Kershaw County has been awarded nearly $200.000 in grant funding to help protect water quality in the Lake Wateree Watershed. The grant comes from the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services and is supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The funding will help homeowners repair or replace failing septic systems that are contributing to bacteria and nutrient pollution in Lake Wateree.
This is the first Section 319 grant ever implemented specifically for the Lake Wateree Watershed, which serves as a drinking water source for Camden and Lugoff-Elgin, and supports recreation, agriculture, and industry. Homeowners who qualify could receive up to 60% cost-share assistance for septic repairs or replacements. Funding is limited, and priority will be given to systems near streams or the lake with documented environmental impacts. More information is available through Kershaw County Engineering and Stormwater Management.