Water Reuse System First in SC

Tradition, South Carolina, a new town being developed in Jasper County by Core Communities, will feature complete on-site reuse of highly treated wastewater, the first such system of its kind in South Carolina. Successful systems have been employed in Florida, California, Arizona, Texas, and other states. This system is being designed by Jon Whitmer, PE who has recently joined Ward Edwards as Director of the Public Sector and Utilities Program. He brings over 34 years of water and sewer based utility consulting experience.

Water reuse is good stewardship. Producing reuse water for irrigation is cheaper than using drinking water for the same purpose. Furthermore, reuse water typically carries plant nutrients, which the vegetation removes from the reuse water, providing a double benefit. "We have practiced reuse in Florida for years. We know it is good for the environment, and it makes good business sense," said Matt Amman, Vice President of Development for Core Communities of South Carolina.

Tradition's system will include reuse for residential irrigation in addition to golf course and community common areas. The reuse system design and operating protocol are being developed by Ward Edwards. This visionary program results from unprecedented cooperation among the developer, Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority, City of Hardeeville, SC Department of Health and Environmental Control, and other state and local agencies. Wastewater will be pumped approximately four miles from the 5,000-acre development to BJWSA's Cherry Hill Wastewater Treatment Facility and return pumped by a separate line as treated reuse water to be distributed by the developer's irrigation utility.

Unique Environment Requires Special Consideration

Port Royal Sound is an extraordinary ecological system with an environment that is found nowhere else in North America.  Several factors combine to create this unique ecosystem including: (a) exhibiting the highest tidal amplitude in the southeastern U.S. (8-10 ft), (b) a watershed consisting of only small coastal rivers that introduce low levels of freshwater in seasonal pulses, which maintains relatively constant salinity adding stability to the ecosystem, (c) rising sea level flooding a landscape with significant topography for a coastal area, and (d) exceptionally deep tidal rivers and creeks (sections of the Broad River are over 40 feet deep).  These features create an expansive network of deep tidal rivers with oceanic marine habitats adjacent to shallow, highly productive salt marshes.  The region's high water quality and biological richness is still present today because the area has remained undeveloped until now.

Preserving these high salinity waterways as development increases dramatically depends on mitigating stormwater runoff effectively.   Under pre-development conditions, most stormwater would either re-enter the atmosphere directly through evapotranspiration or slowly through groundwater movement.  Thus, the challenge for the development community is to minimize stormwater runoff by reducing impervious surfaces and preserving ample natural areas for ground water recharge.  In addition, installed drainage systems must release stormwater slowly to the marsh, preferably through groundwater recharge.   Therefore, creative alternatives to curb, guttering and discharge pipes are essential.   To learn more about best management practices for stormwater management go to www.cwp.org, the website for the Center for Watershed Protection. 

Information provided by Dr. Chris Marsh of the LowCountry Institute whose mission is to protect the environmental quality of the low country --- its biodiversity, its pristine waters, and its ecological landscapes --- by helping local policymakers, landowners, and residents make informed decisions. www.lowcountryinstitute.org