Frequently Asked Questions

Great News! If your property is located within the teal-shaded area of the map below, your property is included in the "Go2Sewer, for a Cleaner Stoney Creek" Project and is eligible for our incentive program! Click here for a list of eligible properties for this project. 

Property Owner Benefits

• Financial Savings: Avoiding the long-term costs associated with septic system maintenance and potential failure.
• Increased Property Value: Homes connected to sewer systems are often more appealing to buyers.
• Potential Reduced Insurance Rates: Some insurance companies offer discounts for homes that are considered lower risk due to improvements in infrastructure. Switching to a more reliable and efficient public utility could be viewed as such an improvement, making property owners eligible for these discounts.
• Peace of Mind: Eliminates the worry of septic system backup or failure.

Community and Environmental Benefits 

BJWSA complies with current environmental regulations, reducing the property owner’s liability for contamination that can occur with well/septic systems. Costs associated with legal fees, fines, and remediation of septic leaks or failures can be significant. By connecting through BJWSA’s “Go2Sewer for a Cleaner Stoney Creek” and our incentive programs, property owners transfer the responsibility to BJWSA, along with the associated risks and liabilities.

• Environmental Protection: Preserves local water quality and ecosystems.
• Public Health: Reduces the risk of waterborne diseases associated with septic system overflows. 

Health and Environmental Benefits

• Reduced Contamination: Sewer systems prevent contaminants found in wastewater from seeping into groundwater, rivers, and lakes, thereby reducing the risk of waterborne diseases and environmental pollution.
• Better Water Quality: By eliminating septic runoff, sewer systems contribute to cleaner and safer rivers, streams, and groundwater.
• Sustainability: Sewer systems are more sustainable in the long term, offering efficient wastewater treatment and reducing the likelihood of costly leaks and overflows that can occur with septic systems.

Economic and Practical Benefits

• Increased Property Values: Properties connected to a sewer system often have higher values because of the reduced risk of septic system failures.
• Lower Maintenance Costs: property owners save on the maintenance and potential replacement costs associated with septic systems, which can be substantial over time.
• Regulation & Compliance: Transitioning to sewer systems ensures compliance with current environmental regulations and community planning efforts, avoiding potential fines and legal issues.
• Potential Reduced Insurance Costs: Some insurance companies offer discounts for homes that are considered lower risk due to improvements in infrastructure. Switching to a more reliable and efficient municipal sewer system could be viewed as such an improvement, making property owners eligible for these discounts.
• Better Fire Emergency Response: Having sewer connections in your neighborhood provides closer access to fire hydrants, which will help fire departments in putting out potential fires faster. 

1. Incentive Program

Go2Sewer for a Cleaner Stoney Creek, property owners can save up to $44,000 in connection, construction, and application fees through early participation in our incentive program, which is time-sensitive.  Sign up before August 26, 2024.

2. Avoid Expensive and Surprise Septic System Repair Costs

Septic systems, especially older ones, are prone to failures and require expensive repairs or replacements. The cost of pumping, repairing, or replacing a septic tank, drain field, or other components can be substantial, easily reaching thousands of dollars. In some cases state regulations will prohibit replacing septic equipment. Once connected to centralized utilities, property owners no longer bear worry or financial burden of maintaining a septic system, which can lead to significant long-term savings. 

3. Predictable Monthly Costs

When you connect to BJWSA service, you will start receiving a monthly bill. While that sounds like an added cost, it is predictable. When your systems begin to fail, or need maintenance, it’s often a large and unexpected bill. They might break down without warning, and fixing or replacing them can really drain your wallet or be impossible under environmental regulations.

Here’s the good news: Switching to our services means you can stop worrying about big repair bills. Once you’re connected, all those system headaches and the costs that come with them are gone. This switch can save you some serious cash over time, making life a bit easier.

5. Environmental Compliance and Reduced Liability

BJWSA services comply with current environmental regulations, reducing the property owner’s liability for contamination that can occur with failing septic systems. Costs associated with legal fees, fines, and remediation of septic leaks or failures can be significant. By connecting through BJWSA’s Go2Sewer for a Cleaner Stoney Creek and our incentive program, property owners transfer the responsibility for wastewater treatment to us, along with the associated risks and liabilities.

6. Long-term Sustainability and Community Support

One of the goals of the Go2Sewer for a Cleaner Stoney Creek initiative is to help protect our watershed, including Stoney Creek and the downstream May River. Currently, leaky septic tanks are leeching waste into the watershed, threatening our community’s health, safety, economy, and ecosystem.  By taking part in our incentive programs, you are not only getting the long-term support of the team at BJWSA and saving thousands of dollars, but you are also helping to keep our waterways clean for families, wildlife, and recreational pursuits like fishing and kayaking! 

7. Potential Insurance Savings Can Include:

Reduced Liability Risks

• Septic Failures: Septic systems can fail, leading to potential groundwater contamination or property damage. This risk can increase liability premiums. Connecting to a sewer system eliminates the risk of septic failure, potentially lowering liability insurance costs.
• Environmental Cleanup: If a septic system leaks or overflows, property owners may be liable for the cleanup of any environmental contamination. This risk can also affect insurance premiums. By eliminating the septic system, property owners reduce the risk of such events and associated liability.

Lower Risk of Water Damage

• Sewage Backups: Homes with septic systems can experience backups if the system is not maintained correctly or if it fails. These backups can cause significant water damage to the home, leading to higher claims and, thus higher insurance premiums. Municipal sewer systems generally have a lower risk of causing such backups in the home, potentially reducing insurance costs.
• Flood Damage: In areas prone to flooding, septic systems can fail during flood events, causing additional damage. Homes connected to municipal sewer systems might be considered at lower risk, potentially leading to reductions in flood insurance premiums.

Discounts for Improved Infrastructure

Some insurance companies offer discounts for homes that are considered lower risk due to improvements in infrastructure. Switching to a more reliable and efficient municipal sewer system could be viewed as such an improvement, making property owners eligible for these discounts.

Increased Property Value and Risk Assessment

Properties connected to municipal sewer systems may have higher values and might be assessed as lower risk, affecting insurance premiums. This is because sewer-connected properties are less likely to experience problems that lead to insurance claims, such as environmental cleanup costs or damages from sewage backups.

Incentive Program

Through our grant funding, BJWSA is able to provide a financial incentive for property owners to sign up for a sewer connection. If a property owner wanted to do this on their own, it could cost over $40,000. If property owners sign up by August 26, 2024, they will receive the full financial incentive, paying only their monthly bill each month after connection. If property owners sign up after August 26, 2024, they are responsible for the full cost of the sewer connection and their monthly bill.

Cost and Savings 

Sign Up for Go2Sewer by August 26, 2024

Property owners can connect at no cost, potentially saving around $44,000 in fees.  

Sign Up After August 26, 2024

Property owners who connect after the deadline will not receive incentives and must cover the full cost of the connection, which could be substantial. If you are an interested property owner and want more information about costs associated with the project after this date, please email Go2Sewer@BJWSA.org.

Low-Pressure Systems

Low-pressure sewer systems use grinder pumps to collect and transport wastewater from properties to the sewage treatment plant. This system is especially useful in areas with difficult terrain, high groundwater levels, or other challenges that make traditional gravity sewer systems impractical. Low-pressure systems are cost-effective, require smaller-diameter sewer lines, and can be installed with minimal landscape disruption.

Grinder Pumps

Grinder pumps are used in sewage systems where the normal flow of wastewater cannot reach the elevation of the sewer line. These pumps grind the sewage into a fine slurry, which is then pumped to a municipal sewer system. Grinder pumps are typically installed at individual homes and are an essential part of managing wastewater in areas not served by gravity-based systems. Pumps installed through this project will be owned by BJWSA and the property owner will pay a monthly service fee for BJWSA to maintain the pump.

When property owners transition from well/septic systems to centralized utilities under the Go2Sewer for a Cleaner Stoney Creek initiative, they embark on a path with numerous long-term benefits, including enhanced environmental protection and potentially increased property values. To ensure the seamless operation and maintenance of the new sewer system components installed on their property, here's what property owners can expect:

Pump Ownership and Maintenance

The Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority (BJWSA) will acquire and install the grinder pump, a critical component installed on each property to efficiently transport wastewater to the central sewer system.

BJWSA will be responsible for routine maintenance of the grinder pump. This proactive approach ensures that the system operates optimally, minimizing the risk of disruptions or failures.

Costs Covered by Monthly Utility Bills

To cover the costs associated with the grinder pump's ongoing maintenance, property owners will contribute a service fee, estimated at approximately $30 per month. This fee is conveniently included in the property owner's regular monthly sewer bill, ensuring a straightforward and transparent financial arrangement. Property owners are also responsible for their monthly water and sewer usage. 

Learn more about our monthly billing process here.

Required Easement Agreement

Part of our agreement with property owners when they sign up for a water and sewer connection is an easement agreement. Our team will work with you to draft an agreement that will allow BJWSA to maintain our on-site equipment, including the grinder pump. 

What's an Easement?

It's permission that you give us (BJWSA) to come onto your property to take care of company-owned equipment like pipes and the grinder pump. This allows us to maintain repair and replace parts necessary to keep things running smoothly.

What You Should Know: In exchange for this access, we handle the costs involved in connecting you to our services if you sign up before August 26, 2024; it's part of the agreement that gets you connected without extra charges and can save you tens of thousands of dollars

Additional Responsibilities

Emergency Repairs: In the rare event of a grinder pump malfunction or sewer system issue, BJWSA will provide emergency repair services. Property owners are encouraged to report any issues immediately to ensure quick resolution.

Educational Resources: BJWSA will offer property owners educational resources and guidance on best practices for sewer system care and maintenance, helping to prevent avoidable issues and ensuring the system's longevity.

1. The Project Manager will contact the interested property owner and confirm your participation in the incentive program. 
2. BJWSA will then begin the legal process for obtaining easements from property owners as necessary to allow the right of entry for BJWSA staff, engineers, surveyors, and contractors to plan, survey, design, install, operate and maintain water and sewer infrastructure on the property owners’ land.
3. Construction is expected to begin in January 2025 through May 2026. 
4. Once the water and sewer line construction is complete, the next step will be decommissioning existing septic tanks and onsite wells from residential structures on property owners’ land. Onsite water supply wells shall not be demolished or abandoned and shall remain available for property owners to use for irrigation.
5. BJWSA will connect existing residential buildings/structures on property owners’ land to the new onsite water and sewer infrastructure installed in the Project Area and approved for service by the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES).
6. When connected, the property owner and BJWSA will establish a utility account for the property owner and issue monthly water and sewer service utility bills based on BJWSA’s adopted schedule of rates, fees, and charges for grinder pump systems, which may be revised periodically.
   • The first utility bill shall be issued to property owners approximately 30-days after the systems have been approved for service by SCDES, which is planned for June 1, 2026.
   • Utility bills shall be issued to property owners on a monthly basis thereafter.

A watershed is an area of land where all the water that falls in it and drains off of it goes into a common outlet. This includes rainfall, snowmelt, rivers, streams, and groundwater moving towards a common body of water such as a river, lake, sea, or ocean. Watersheds are crucial to environmental health, supporting diverse ecosystems and communities. They play a key role in gathering ground and surface water and directing it into larger water bodies. Watersheds are vital for managing water quality, providing habitat for wildlife, and supporting human activities and needs. 

Watch this video to learn more about how a watershed works!