Important News
BJWSA will be closed on Labor Day
BJWSA’s water quality is 100% safe!
We are always 100% committed to our mission TO INSPIRE TRUST AND ENHANCE PUBLIC HEALTH. If there is ever a compromise in our system, our customers will hear from us directly and immediately! If you ever have questions, please call us at 843-987-9200 or send an e-mail to info@bjwsa.org.
BJWSA will be flushing hydrants near schools in the next few days, for both counties, to clear stagnant water from the system feeding the schools. This is to ensure we are delivering high quality water as the new year begins.
National Safety Council awards Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority with the 2019 Industry Leader Award
Okatie, SC (July 30, 2019) – The National Safety Council (NSC) announced July 18, 2019 that Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority is honored with a 2019 Industry Leader Award. The award is a component of the Council’s member-exclusive Safety Awards Program. The Industry Leader Award benchmarks outstanding safety achievements among member companies based on self-reported data.
Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority (BJWSA) is one of 63 companies honored with the 2019 Industry Leader Award. The award recognizes the top five percent of member companies, units and facilities that have met the criteria and qualified for the 2019 Occupational Excellence Achievement Award (based on 2018 calendar year data) from NSC. NSC selects winners based on employee work hours, lowest total incident rate and North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code.
Under the guidance of Safety Specialist Steve Lee, staff accumulated 1,388,395 safe work hours without a preventable lost workday, which included 1,559 safe working days. BJWSA’s current injury rate is 1.8, while the industry average is 5.4. The Authority achieves these measurements through initiatives such as the 901 Safety Talks that took place within departments of the Authority, as well as 1,800 hours of Safety Training. Staff completed 2,186 Take Twos – pre-task inventories that support the “Take Two for Safety” program.
“Safety is engrained in the culture at BJWSA and this award is a testament to our nearly 200 employees who take very seriously our commitment to maintaining a safe working environment,” said Joe Mantua, general manager. “Our staff do a tremendous job providing a vital service to the community and often under difficult weather conditions and challenging circumstances. To achieve such recognition speaks volumes about the caliber and professionalism of our team members.”
For additional information on the Industry Leader Award or other awards in this program, call the National Safety Council motivation and recognition department at (800) 621-7615, ext. 52385.
For more information about BJWSA, visit bjwsa.org.
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BJWSA Board of Directors announces new Chair
Okatie, SC (July 30, 2019) – Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority’s Board of Directors has chosen Michael Bell to serve as chair for fiscal year 2020. Bell, a 27-year veteran of the board, represents the Town of Bluffton.
The Baxley, Georgia, native is a graduate of Albany State University, where he received his B.S. (Hon) degree. After a long career in the public school sector, he currently serves as registrar and PowerSchool administrator at Lowcountry Montessori School in Beaufort.
“It is truly an honor to serve again as board chair of one of the most vital organizations within Beaufort and Jasper counties. During this tenure we work cooperatively and fiduciarily with the general manager and staff to strategically plan for the impacts of the continued area growth with an eye toward costs, service delivery and safety. It is truly our mission to inspire trust and enhance the public health of all within our service area.”
Assisting Bell as officers are Jimmy Baker as vice-chair (representing Beaufort County Delegation/Hilton Head) and Gregory Padgett as secretary/treasurer (City of Hardeeville). Other members are: Donna Altman (Beaufort County); Lorraine Bond (Jasper County Delegation); Brandy Gray (Town of Port Royal); Donald Manson (Beaufort County); R. Thayer Rivers, Jr. (Town of Ridgeland); Jerry Schulze (Beaufort County) and Dr. William Singleton (Jasper County Delegation). Andy Kinghorn is awaiting final approval by the governor to serve as the representative for the City of Beaufort.
For more information about BJWSA or its Board of Directors, visit bjwsa.org.
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BJWSA responds to wastewater release on Sea Island Parkway
Okatie, South Carolina – June 12, 2019 – Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority (BJWSA) reports that in excess of 5,000 gallons of wastewater was released from a 14” transmission main into a tidal creek on the Sea Island Parkway. The overflow occurred due to a force main failure.
BJWSA crews responded to the overflow, and took appropriate cleanup/repair action to stop the overflow. Signs will be posted in the area to inform the public.
BJWSA has notified the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC), and is working in conjunction with SCDHEC to address any effects caused by the overflow.
SCDHEC is evaluating the effects of the overflow on the shellfish harvesting areas located in the area of the overflow and will issue advisories if needed.
BJWSA has a well-trained and experienced field operations crew to monitor our wastewater collection system. These crews maintain the sewer lines to ensure the safe daily delivery of an average of 9 million gallons of wastewater to eight area wastewater treatment facilities for treatment and disposal.
If you see or suspect any type of spill from the sewer collection system, please contact BJWSA at 987-9200.
For more information, please visit www.bjwsa.org.
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BJWSA announces new Deputy General Manager
OKATIE, SC (May 29, 2019)—Beaufort–Jasper Water and Sewer Authority (BJWSA) announces that Patrick Burke, P.E. is now serving as Deputy General Manager, Operations and Technical Services, as of May 24, 2019.
Burke has more than 30 years’ experience in the water and wastewater industry, including the past 27 at Aqua Pennsylvania, an investor-owned utility that serves more than 28 counties throughout Pennsylvania. Aqua Pennsylvania is a subsidiary of Aqua America, which provides water and wastewater services to more than 3 million people in eight states. In his most recent role at Aqua, he was the Director of Operations for greater Pennsylvania. Burke has a BS in Structural Design and Construction Engineering Technology from Penn State University, an MBA from Bloomsburg University and is a licensed professional engineer.
The extensive search for the deputy general manager was conducted nationwide by Cabot Associates. General Manager Joe Mantua is “excited to have Pat join us; his extensive knowledge of water and wastewater systems and enthusiastic approach make him a great addition to our team.”
Burke is ready to offer his expertise and comprehensive knowledge to BJWSA. “I am very excited to join the BJWSA team of highly qualified water and wastewater professionals.”
In his role as Deputy General Manager, Burke will oversee approximately 135 employees, in the operational side of the authority. For more information about BJWSA, go to www.bjwsa.org.
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National Infrastructure Week
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An excerpt from a news release:
7th Annual National Infrastructure Week Kicks Off
More than 500 affiliates will host 100+ events in Washington, DC and across the country to raise awareness about the need to invest in roads, rails, pipes, ports, the grid and more
May 13, 2019 – Washington, DC – Today the seventh annual national Infrastructure Week kicked off with an event in Washington, DC keynoted by Rep. Steny Hoyer and featuring policy, labor and private sector leaders. From May 13-20, hundreds of businesses, labor organizations, elected officials, and more will come together to spread the message that we must #BuildForTomorrow, starting now.
“Our latest poll found steadfast bipartisan support for water infrastructure. Water is one of the most powerful conveners of diverse interests, and our elected officials and those campaigning this year would do well to listen and act on infrastructure” says Radhika Fox, Director of the Value of Water Campaign and CEO of the US Water Alliance.
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More information about Infrastructure Week can be found here. Follow Infrastructure Week on Twitter @infraweek and follow the conversation at #BuildForTomorrow
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DHEC approves BJWSA to remove signs on Beaufort River
Okatie, South Carolina – May 2, 2019 – The SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) has approved Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority (BJWSA) to remove signs at boat landings on the Beaufort River. The precautionary signs were erected April 29 after wastewater was released from the Parris Island discharge force main into the Beaufort River. The overflow occurred due to pipe failure.
BJWSA has a well-trained and experienced field operations crew to monitor our wastewater collection system. These crews maintain the sewer lines to ensure the safe daily delivery of an average of 9 million gallons of wastewater to eight area wastewater treatment facilities for treatment and disposal.
If you see or suspect any type of spill from the sewer collection system, please contact BJWSA at 987-9200.
For more information, please visit www.bjwsa.org.
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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING-OPERATING BUDGET
BEAUFORT-JASPER WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY
FISCAL YEAR 2019-2020 OPERATING BUDGET
Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held before the Members of the Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, the 14th day of May 2019. The hearing will be held at the office of Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority, which is located at 6 Snake Road, Okatie, SC. The purpose of the public hearing will be to allow members of the public to express their views regarding the proposed operating budget for Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority for Fiscal Year 2019-2020. All persons who attend the public hearing will be given an opportunity to speak. Copies of the proposed budget are available at the Authority office. A copy may also be obtained from the Authority’s website at www.bjwsa.org. As required by Section 6-1-80, Code of Laws South Carolina, 1976, as amended, the public is advised of the following:
- The budget of Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority for the current Fiscal Year calls for revenues of $66,669,580 and expenses of $63,369,580.
- The proposed budget of Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 calls for total projected revenues of $72,522,000, operating expenses of $64,417,000 and non-operating expenses of $3,105,000. These amounts include non-operating revenue, capacity fees, contributed capital, depreciation and interest expense. Annual Capital Improvement Program Spending, which is included in the Capital Budget, is not included.
- The proposed revenues for the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 operating budget of Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority are comparable to revenues from the operating budget for the current Fiscal Year.
- Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority has proposed changes to its schedule of ancillary fees and charges effective July 1, 2019. Customer water and sewer rates are proposed to increase effective July 1, 2019. The average residential water and sewer customer (7kg) is projected to receive an increase of $3.23 or 3.7% on their total monthly bill. A complete schedule of the proposed new rates is included in the budget.
- Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority does not levy ad valorem property taxes. The Authority relies on user charges to meet its operational needs.
