Florence City Leaders Discuss Continued Water Disruptions

Florence, S.C. city leaders convened to discuss the ongoing disruptions in water systems, following severe issues that arose in August at Florence Water Treatment Plant leading to substantial water pressure reduction and even complete water shortage for many residents. The treatment facility was compelled to shut down amidst operational complications triggered by the flooding due to Tropical Storm Debby. The facility had to handle water containing a high content of organic matter brought in by the flood.

Utility Operations Director Josh Whittington announced that they have solicited the expertise of a third-party engineer to aid in outlining future operational improvements to prevent similar complications in the future. “They’re going to help us assess the conditions of our source water, ensuring that our chemical calculations are correct for adequate water treatment. A crucial aspect will be operator training and helping us devise a plan to handle similar situations stimulated by weather extremes,” stated Whittington.

Infrastructure Assessment and Improvement

While no specific timeline was given for the completion of the engineer’s assessment and subsequent implementations, it’s expected to take a couple of months. In related advancements, Michael Hemingway, the Utility Planning and Economic Development Director, disclosed a grant of $9,908,062 awarded to the city from the South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority via the South Carolina Infrastructure Investment Program (SCIIP). The funds will be directed towards improvements in water production and distribution systems including:

• 8-inch water line along Meadors Road (~8,500 LF)
• 12-inch water line along Whitehall Shores Road (~5,500 LF)
• 6-inch water line along Darlington Street (11,500 LF)
• 12-inch water line along Southborough Road (~1,500 LF)
• 3-inch water line along Hollyberry Lane (~500 LF)

Apart from the above, the funds will also cover renovation work at the following treatment plants:

• River Road Water Treatment Plant
• Pine Street Water Treatment Plant
• GE Water Treatment Plant
• Oakdale Water Treatment Plant

Opioid Funding Update

In connection with opioid-related matters, city officials reported ongoing discussions concerning funding usage. City Manager Scotty Davis mentioned that a budget allocation of $25,000 had been made in 2022 for a Request For Proposal (RFP). The RFP is intended to investigate firms capable of exploring opioid addiction across the city, however, the proposal is yet to be executed.

Reviewing the fund’s usage, Davis stated, “Do we target specific populations? All of these aspects will be analyzed, and the study should identify targets and make recommendations accordingly. We then review the incoming applications to verify if they align with the state’s mandate for these funds.”