Important News
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.
BJWSA responds to wastewater release on Parris Island
Okatie, South Carolina – April 29, 2019 – Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority (BJWSA) reports that an estimated 20,000 gallons of wastewater was released from the Parris Island discharge force main into the Beaufort River. The overflow occurred due to pipe 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 843-987-9200.
For more information, please visit www.bjwsa.org.
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NACWA Magazine tells story of bridge waterline
Clean Water Advocate, a quarterly publication of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA,) features the story of Winter Storm Grayson’s part in revealing the need for the waterline repair under the McTeer Bridge. Through interviews with Ed Saxon, Justin Thomas, Brian Chemsak and Andy Mattie, we were able to relate this incident to a national audience. Public Affairs Manager, Pam Flasch, was the author of the article. See the complete magazine here.
BOIL WATER ADVISORY LIFTED FOR LEVY AREA
Okatie, SC [February 20, 2019] – Beaufort Jasper Water and Sewer Authority (BJWSA) and South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC)
announced today that the latest water sample analyses indicate the water in the Levy area is free from bacteria and is safe for human consumption.
The boil advisory for Levy is now lifted.
The precautionary advisory to boil water used for drinking or cooking was issued February 18 due to a failure on our 12” water main that parallels South Okatie Hwy and ends in the residential neighborhood of Telfair plantation.
Additionally, BJWSA suggests that you flush your system, running bathtub and sink faucets for 10 minutes or until the water is clear.
BJWSA apologizes for any inconvenience this incident may have caused.
PRECAUTIONARY BOIL WATER ADVISORY ISSUED FOR LEVY COMMUNITY
Okatie, SC (February 18, 2019)– BJWSA and SC DHEC advise some residents in Levy Community to boil water before using for drinking, cooking or dishwashing. The area includes S. Okatie Hwy, starting at Delta Estates Road and ending at Telfair Plantation. Please follow this link to learn how to boil water in an emergency: https://foodsafety.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/CDC-What-to-Do-During-a-Boil-Water-Advisory-3.pdf?fwd=no
Discolored Water? Run COLD TAP for FIVE minutes!
December 7, 2018: We’ve recently received customer complaints about discolored water. Please check out this fact sheet, and if the issue persists at your home or business, please call us at 843-987-9200.
BJWSA’s Saxon to retire; Joe Mantua selected as new General Manager
OKATIE, SC (November 15, 2018)—Beaufort–Jasper Water and Sewer Authority (BJWSA) announces that long-time General Manager Ed Saxon will retire in February 2019. Saxon, who has served at the authority since February of 1989, leaves a legacy of environmental and fiscal responsibility, as well as extensive community voluntarism.
Joe Mantua, currently the Deputy General Manager for Operations at Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) in Laurel, Maryland, begins working alongside Saxon November 26. A utility management professional with more than three decades of experience in both the public and private sector, Mantua previously served as a regional manager at Black & Veatch Corporation, and as past president of the American Water Works Association (AWWA.)
The extensive search for a new general manager was conducted nationwide by Cabot Associates and vetted by the BJWSA Board of Directors. Board chair Donna Altman offered, “After a thorough and thoughtful search process, the board is excited to have Joe join and lead BJWSA. Joe brings a stellar leadership reputation, a wealth of water and wastewater industry experience and an impressive work history – which makes him well positioned to lead us going forward.”
Saxon added, “It has been a distinct pleasure to live in the Lowcountry and an honor to serve the citizens of Beaufort and Jasper Counties for 30 years. I’m confident that Joe will be a great leader for our wonderful group of BJWSA employees.”
Reached at his current office, Mantua expressed his eagerness to continue the work that BJWSA has done to earn its place in local prominence, “I look forward to leading this great organization and carrying on the tradition of providing excellent service to our customers and community.”
In his role as General Manager, Mantua will oversee 190 employees at two water treatment plants and eight wastewater plants. For more information about BJWSA, go to www.bjwsa.org.
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