Jump in rates to fund Dorchester improvements

Newly approved water and sewer service rate increases will help spur economic development in the upper part of Dorchester County, Council Chairman Larry Hargett said.

The County Council voted 4-2 on Monday for the new rates.

Effective July 1, sewer service will rise $3.10 monthly and water service will increase by $8. The minimum monthly sewer bills will be $37.90 and minimum monthly water bills will be $23.75.

The increases will raise $12 million to purchase the St. George town-operated wastewater collection system. It also will pay for improvements at pump stations elsewhere in the county.

Hargett voted against the increase, saying many residents told him they don't want it. But Hargett said the county found a way to stretch out bond payments to keep the rates from being even higher.

Councilman Kenneth Waggoner also voted no. Councilman Willie Davis was absent.

The Dorchester County Water & Sewer Department serves 20,000 sewer customers and about 7,000 water customers. Revenue generated by the new rates will bring in $9 million to purchase and expand the wastewater collection system now

operated by St. George and $3 million for upgrading pump stations elsewhere in the county, Hargett said. He said the county also will divert more of the wastewater it generates to its own treatment plant and away from a plant in North Charleston, he said.

Hargett said the council increased solid waste disposal fees from $60 to $72 and amended stormwater fee guidelines to exempt some church-owned properties.

Earlier this month, the Summerville Commissioners of Public Works also approved rate increases for customers it serves in and outside the town.

On July 1, the CPW's 23,909 water customers and 18,547 sewer customers will see the average water bill rise from $15.80 to $23.75 a month; and the average sewer bill go from $34.80 to $43.40 a month.