Sampit Community Sewer Improvement Project
A Major Infrastructure Investment in Public Health, Environmental Protection, and Community Growth
The Georgetown County Water & Sewer District (GCWSD) is advancing one of its most significant infrastructure initiatives to date—the Sampit Community Sewer Improvement Project. Funded through the Capital Projects Sales Tax (CPST), this project will replace failing septic systems, improve environmental and public health conditions, and bring modern sewer service to a community that has long advocated for improved infrastructure.
Why This Project Matters
For years, residents of the Sampit Community have relied on aging individual septic tanks, many of which are no longer functioning properly and have caused unsafe environmental conditions. In 2013, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) ranked the Sampit area #4 on its Priority List of Environmentally Distressed Communities due to widespread septic failures and associated risks.
These issues have restricted public use of community areas, limited opportunities for small business development, and created daily challenges for families. The new sewer system will directly address these concerns by serving more than 1,095 residents across approximately 438 homes, providing reliable wastewater collection and significantly improving quality of life.
What the Project Will Build
GCWSD will install a complete, modern wastewater collection system, including:
- Gravity sewer mains
- Force mains
- Multiple pump stations
- Residential sewer services and cleanouts
- Manholes and essential appurtenances
Wastewater will be conveyed to the City of Georgetown Wastewater Treatment Facility, which has 4 million gallons per day of excess treatment capacity, ensuring long-term service reliability.
The system will be a hybrid of gravity and grinder pump connections, selected based on site conditions during design. Some homes will connect to gravity sewer, while others will utilize grinder pump systems, which operate through a small underground tank and pump using homeowner-supplied electricity. This approach is significantly more cost-effective for rural areas.
Project Delivery & Engineering
GCWSD has partnered with Thomas & Hutton Engineering, a firm with extensive experience in rural coastal wastewater systems, for design and planning. Their work will include:
- Field surveying with advanced GPS equipment
- Hydraulic modeling of the collection system
- Environmental and wetlands screening
- Coordination of permits with SCDES, SCDOT, Georgetown County, and federal agencies
- Phased construction design to reduce cost and community disruption
Estimated Project Timeline
Once funding is finalized, the anticipated timeline includes:
- 18 months of final design
- 6 months of permitting
- 4 months of bidding
- 24–28 months of construction
The construction schedule will roll out in phases:
- Phase 1: Bidding begins December 1, 2026; construction ends October 15, 2027
- Phase 2: Bidding begins June 1, 2027; construction ends April 15, 2028
- Phase 3: Bidding begins September 1, 2027; construction ends July 1, 2028
Community Impact & Equity
The project area includes Census Tract 9208, federally recognized as a Justice40 disadvantaged community, with lower-than-average household income levels and higher-than-average poverty rates. The sewer improvement project supports residents by:
- Eliminating the financial burden of septic system repairs
- Improving public health conditions
- Enhancing environmental quality
- Expanding future economic development opportunities
- Removing the community from SCDHEC’s Environmentally Distressed list upon completion
Funding & Costs
The Capital Projects Sales Tax will fund the main sewer lines, with additional grant opportunities under consideration.
Key financial details include:
- Estimated project cost: $13,302,650
- Connection is not mandatory for existing homes, though certain grant agencies may require it.
- New homes built after project completion will be required to connect to the sewer system.
- GCWSD connection fee: $2,096; future fees based on prevailing rates.
Homeowners will be responsible for installing their service line from the home to the road—this is not included in the project.
Estimated monthly bills:
- $41.21 for minimum service
- $62.31 for approximately 6,000 gallons of usage
Project Leadership & Community Engagement
GCWSD values transparent communication and community involvement. Project leadership includes:
- Leona Miller, GCWSD Board Chair
- Tommie Kennedy, Executive Director
- Doris Simmons, Customer Advocate
- Amanda Gill, Director of Engineering & Construction
- Jaquan Reed, Staff Engineer
- Thomas & Hutton Engineering Team
Public meetings and Q&A sessions will continue throughout construction to ensure residents stay informed and have opportunities to share feedback.
Building a Stronger Future for Sampit
The Sampit Community Sewer Improvement Project represents more than infrastructure—it is an investment in health, safety, environmental stewardship, and future growth. By delivering modern wastewater services, GCWSD is helping residents build a stronger, more resilient community for generations to come.
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