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Inspecting a backflow prevention device.
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The Cross-Connection Control Department protects water quality by identifying and eliminating cross connections, which allow the potential for backflow. A cross connection is the physical link of a source of contamination with a potable water supply, and where such a connection exists, a change in pressure in the distribution system or residential water pipes may cause contaminated water to backflow, or be "sucked" back into the public water system.
The Cross-Connection Control Department inspects all new construction projects for compliance with backflow prevention regulations and inspects existing service connections for proper backflow prevention. Charleston Water System has a robust backflow prevention program which far exceeds regulatory requirements, and is nationally recognized as a model for cross connection management.
Related links
Backflow requirements
What is backflow?
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| Design & Construction |
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Charleston Water System's Design and Construction Department oversees capital improvements to the water distribution system, wastewater collection system, and treatment plants. Staff engineers are responsible for designing new projects such as water and sewer main extensions and replacement of plant infrastructure. The D&C staff also manages water and sewer requests for new construction, and requires developers to meet specifications for water and sewer main construction.
Related links
Specifications for Developers and Contractors
Sewer Tunnel Replacement Project
Contact Design and Construction
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| Hanahan Water Treatment Plant |
The administration building at Charleston Water System's Hanahan Water Treatment Plant.
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The Hanahan Water Treatment Plant is the largest treatment plant in the state, providing the Greater Charleston area with clean, safe drinking water. The plant is located on a 60-acre site on the banks of the Goose Creek Reservoir in Hanahan, which served as Charleston Water System's primary source of raw drinking water for most of the 1900s. The plant now treats water taken from the Edisto River and the Bushy Park Reservoir. The plant site was founded in 1902, and although the site has been upgraded with new technology and equipment over the last century, the original pump buildings still house plant operations.
The Hanahan Water Treatment Plant has earned numerous awards for excellence, including the 2003 Director's Award for the Partnership for Safe Drinking Water, SCDHEC's Area Wide Optimization Program (AWOP) Award in 2003, and EPA Region IV's Excellence Award in 2002. Charleston Water System is continually upgrading plant operations: a new sedimentation basin was put into service in Summer 2003 and engineers are currently working on plans to construct a new clearwell. The plant has a permitted capacity to produce 118 million gallons per day (mgd), although the plant produces an average of 55 mgd.
Laboratory staff at Hanahan WTP tests more than 4,000 samples each month, including samples from raw water sources, treated water at the plant, and water in the distribution system to ensure water quality. The plant has increased security measures in the wake of 9/11and Charleston Water System will spend a total of $7.5 million dollars with the implementation of additional security enhancements. As a result, access to plant grounds is limited, and Charleston Water System does not offer plant tours; however, Charleston Water System can provide educational materials to schools and other organizations interested in learning about the water treatment process. Please call (843) 727-6856 for more information.
Related links
Water treatment process schematic
Water Quality
Service area
Water rates
FAQ
History
Research
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The sedimentation basins allow the heaving particles of impurities settle out of the water. |
Charleston Water System's DHEC-certified laboratory runds thousands of samples each year to ensure our water is safe to drink. |
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An crews prepares to inspect a sewer line using video camera technology.
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When wastewater leaves your home, it enters Charleston Water System's Wastewater Collection System, a complex system of pipes, pump stations, and tunnels that carry sewage to the Plum Island Wastewater Treatment Plant (and for Daniel Island residents-the Daniel Island Wastewater Treatment Plant).
The collection system consists of 460 miles of sewer mains, 185 pumping or lift stations, 15 vortexes, and more than 8,500 manholes. Although the system dates back to the late 1880's, Charleston Water System has been operating and maintaining the system since the late 1960's.
Charleston Water System's wastewater service area includes the following municipalities: the Peninsula City, West Ashley, James Island, Johns Island, and Daniel Island. Charleston Water System also treats wastewater from the towns of Hollywood and Ravenel on a contract basis.
The Wastewater Collection Department operates five vactor trucks, which are essentially large "wet vaccums," and three TV trucks that are used for visual inspections of sewer lines. In addition, the wastewater department has three high-pressure cleaning trucks and five construction crews that perform repairs and replacements of mains, force mains, service laterals, and manholes.
Related links
Wastewater treatment schematic
Service area
FAQ
Sewer rates
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Inspecting a sewer line in the "TV truck." |
The vactor truck, used to clean out sewer manholes. |
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| Plum Island Wastewater Treatment Plant |
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The treatment of wastewater is necessary to protect the environment and public health. Wastewater carries many of bacteria that are harmful to humans and wildlife; removal of these bacteria and other pollutants requires a two-step process: primary treatment and secondary treatment.
Related links
Wastewater treatment schematic
Service area
FAQ
Sewer rates
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| Daniel Island Wastewater Treatment Plant |
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The Daniel Island Wastewater Treatment plant is Charleston Water's second, smaller facility that treats wastewater from Daniel Island, Thomas Island, and the Cainhoy Peninsula.
The small plant will not be able to handle the increased flow of wastewater generated by rapid development in the area, so Charleston Water System is planning to divert all wastewater to the larger Plum Island plant via a deep tunnel connecting the Daniel Island Plant to the Plum Island plant. When the tunnel is complete (sometime in 2008), the Daniel Island plant will be converted to a pretreatment facility and may also provide reclaimed water for irrigation use.
Learn more about the wastewater tunnel project
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| Water Distribution |
A crew opens a fire hydrant to flush a water main. |
Once treated, drinking water enters the Water Distribution System, which consists of 1,500 miles of water mains. The mains, storage tanks, and pump stations in the distribution system deliver clean, safe water to thousands of homes in the greater Charleston area.
Water distribution crews are responsible for maintaining water lines and completing minor extensions. Crews constantly flush water lines to clear pipes of mineral deposits and test valves to ensure lines can be isolated in the event of a main break or loss of system pressure. After the installation of a new line or repair of an existing line, the pipe is disinfected and flushed clean.
Charleston Water System owns all fire hydrants, and is responsible for providing adequate pressure and flow to allow for use in fighting a fire. The City of Charleston Fire Department received a ranking of 1 from the Insurance Services Office, a prestigious honor awarded only to those fire departments that demonstrate excellence in fire protection services, which includes dependable water service and coordination with the water provider.
Related links
Water treatment process schematic
Water Quality
Service area
Water rates
FAQ
History
Research
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About Charleston Water System>Operational Departments |
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