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Our Interactive Voice Response (IVR) number is 888-375-8126.
Our office is closed on Monday, June 19 in observance of Juneteenth. The office will reopen on Tuesday, June 20 at 8:30 am.
You don’t have to look far for evidence that everything seems to cost more these days. Like your grocery bill, the expenses for BJWSA to provide quality water and wastewater services continue to grow.
We know there is never a perfect time to increase rates, but we must operate sustainably to assure reliable service that meets all regulations protecting your health and our environment. There is currently a rate change under consideration by the BJWSA Board of Directors that will be voted on at their June meeting.
If approved, the change will increase monthly water and sewer bills for average residential customers (7,000 gallons/month) by $8.24–27 cents per day. Average customers who only receive water service, will see an increase of $4.17 per month–14 cents per day. These rates would go into effect July 1, 2023 and appear on bills delivered in August.
The decision to increase rates is never made without tremendous consideration. However, it is important that the Authority maintain a sustainable budget and as our costs increase, so must our rates. Expenses related to important initiatives like replacing failing pipes for better reliability, eliminating old galvanized water lines and replacing outdated equipment are on the rise. In fact, since our last rate change, our operational expenses have increased substantially primarily due to items such as materials, ongoing system maintenance, personnel, power and chemicals
With regulatory expectations becoming stricter concerning the presence of contaminants like PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances known as forever chemicals), we expect the cost pressures to continue. Our Board and leadership team continually seek ways to avoid steep rate increases and pursue opportunities to increase efficiency and reduce costs. BJWSA is also looking to polluters to take responsibility for the water contamination they cause by joining a class action lawsuit against the producers of forever chemicals. We believe the people who profited from their production should be responsible for their cleanup.
We know that rate increases impact customers differently. Here are a few steps to consider to help reduce your water and wastewater costs:
Our free EyeOnWater phone application can detect leaks, monitor typical use and help detect hidden sources of water loss – which can account for more than 10% of water usage.
For those that meet certain qualifications payment assistance is available. You can learn more about how to access these funds on our website at https://www.bjwsa.org/helping-people-need/
Finally, those who water their landscape can help reduce the strain on our water system and the need to expand production by participating in our Irrigation Management program by avoiding irrigation on Mondays and during peak hours of 3 AM to 9 AM, and watering on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at odd-numbered addresses or Wednesday, Friday and Sundays at even-numbered addresses. Learn more about water use, go to bjwsa.org/water-use.
We hope this helps explain the need for the rate change and the importance of continued improvements in our system for you, those you care about and our community.
Our office is closed Monday, June 19 in observance of Juneteenth
Discolored water?
We are aware of a discolored water situation in the Bluffton area. Crews are flushing lines to alleviate the discoloration. To clear your water lines, run the cold faucet for 10 minutes. If the water continues to be discolored, please let us know by calling 843-987-9200 or emailing info@bjwsa.org.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEAUFORT-JASPER WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 OPERATING BUDGET
Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, the 14th day of June 2023. 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 2023-2024. 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 $86,515,500 and expenses of $81,193,085.
The proposed budget of Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 calls for total projected revenues of $95,968,252, operating expenses of $82,143,100 and non-operating expenses of $3,573,000. 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 2023-2024 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, 2023. Customer water and sewer rates are proposed to increase effective July 1, 2023. The average residential water and sewer customer (7kg) is projected to receive an increase of $8.24 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.
Beaufort Jasper Water and Sewer Authority has detected a naturally occurring algae bloom in our source water that can cause some people to detect an earthy smell or taste in our treated water. The presence of geosmin and methylisoborneol produced by the algae at the detected levels cause aesthetic issues, especially for those with sensitive senses of smell, but is not a health or safety concern.
The Authority is taking steps to reduce the effects of the algae with powder activated carbon to absorb the taste and odor. Customers may continue to use water from their taps as normal, even as we work to resolve the issue.
Local partnership awarded nearly $6M grant that will protect Bluffton’s Stoney Creek Watershed and May River
May 19, 2023 (Okatie, SC) – Beaufort County, the Town of Bluffton, and Beaufort Jasper Water Sewer Authority (BJWSA) have received a South Carolina Infrastructure Investment Program (SCIIP) grant to install a new sewer system in Bluffton’s Stoney Creek Watershed, adjacent to the May River.
The need for the project was originally identified by the county, Bluffton and BJWSA as part of the 2011 May River Watershed Action Plan. It will allow septic systems for 150 properties to be decommissioned, removing the risk of contamination of the May River from septic system failures. The existing septic tanks and drain fields will be replaced by a vacuum sewer system that will transport wastewater to a BJSWA treatment plant for treatment and ultimate disposal.
BJWSA responded to wastewater release in Berkeley Place
(Okatie, South Carolina) – May 6,2023 – Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority (BJWSA) reports that an estimated 27,000 gallons of wastewater was released from a ruptured force main at Berkeley Place off Buckwalter Parkway, Bluffton, on May 5, 2023.
BJWSA was alerted of the overflow at 3 p.m. on May 5, and crews immediately responded. The overflow was stopped at 4:30 p.m., and crews have finished the process of cleanup and recovery. The majority of the standing sewer was recoverable.
Signs have been 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.
BJWSA has well-trained and experienced field operations crews to monitor our wastewater collection system, which delivers an average of 10 million gallons of wastewater to eight 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 843-987-9200.
BJWSA responds to wastewater release in Roseida Road neighborhood
(Okatie, South Carolina) – April 27,2023 – Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority (BJWSA) reports that an estimated 25,000 gallons of wastewater was released from a force main into the salt marsh on Roseida Road not far from County Shed Road. BJWSA has notified the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC), and signs have been posted in the area to inform the public.
The exact start time of the overflow is unknown, but it was discovered by BJWSA staff around 2:00 pm on April 26, 2023 and was completely stopped by 6:00 pm. The sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) was caused by the failure of a force main pipe, which was under the tidal creek upstream of Albergotti Creek, due to corrosion. The force main was repaired and placed back into service later that evening.
BJWSA has well-trained and experienced field operations crews to monitor our wastewater collection system, which delivers an average of 10 million gallons of wastewater to eight 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 843-987-9200.
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