Aiken breaks ground on new water treatment plant
AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - The City of Aiken took a big step towards preparing for the future on Tuesday.
The groundbreaking for a water treatment plant might not sound like a big deal, but it is.
The $70 million project will help supply all of the drinking water in the city and beyond.
When you’re making your coffee or getting ready to cook, do you ever wonder where your water comes from?
If you live in Aiken, almost all of it comes from the Shaws Creek Water Treatment Plant.
“It’s a fundamental building block, both to life, but certainly to having a community that people want to move to,” said Stuart Bedenbaugh, Aiken city manager.
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Whether you realize it or not, water is an essential part of growth.
“Aiken is a very attractive place for people to move to from all parts of the country, whether to live here or to locate a business or an industry,” said Bendenbaugh. “So the ability to provide the needed capacity is going to be critical.”
Which is why they say they need an upgrade.
The current water treatment facility is starting to show its age, so it’s out with the old and in with the new.
“Concrete has started failing,” said Keith Lowe, water treatment manager. “The piping has started failing and it’s just a great time for an update.”
This new facility allows them to keep up with the growth in Aiken.
“During the summer we see about 6 to 6½, but that’s the maximum we can get right now,” said Lowe. “With the update of this new plant, and with the storage we’re going to have on-site, we can pump out up to 8,000,000 gallons during peak times.”
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The city is also working on construction to help reduce traffic on the busiest road in Aiken, Whiskey Road.
And the mixed-use office building that could house the Savannah River National Lab.
“You’re looking at about $125 to $130 million worth of new projects coming quickly and we’re very excited,” said Bendenbaugh. "
This project is expected to take 2½ years to complete.
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