The Town of Swansea and the Joint Municipal Water and Sewer Commission have entered into a 40-year agreement under which the JMWSC will become the town’s new water and sewer service provider.

The contract was approved by the town council in October but required additional approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Jay Nicholson, CEO and general manager of the JMWSC, said. The contract was given the green light a few days before Christmas. 

In a media release, town leaders said they selected JMWSC for its knowledge of the town's issues and its ability to address challenges while keeping rates low for residents.

As part of the agreement, JMWSC will assume responsibility for all utilities and oversee system improvements while maintaining reasonable rates.

The transition will take place Feb. 1.

"We're thankful for the ability to partner with JMWSC, and we’re looking forward to working with them to improve the town’s essential services.” Swansea Mayor Doris Simmons said.

The town was identified as “nonviable” by the state of South Carolina in 2019. A planning study conducted by WK Dickson found that the town would need to invest $15 million in infrastructure and hire additional staff to comply with state regulations.

The study also found that a 300% rate increase would be necessary to fund the required improvements. However, the agreement with JMWSC aims to resolve the problems without imposing a significant rate increase on customers. 

Under the agreement, JMWSC will invest $5 million to address existing issues as customers transition to the new provider.

At a community meeting on Jan. 20, residents reviewed rate scenarios and compared them with their existing rates. Nicholson said the most noticeable change for customers will be an increase in sewer rates.

“Our mission is to ensure the citizens of Swansea continue to receive the best quality water and sewer services possible,” Nicholson said. “We understand that any rate increase can cause concerns, and we will work to develop trust in our stewardship by providing Swansea with services they can continuously rely on.”

He explained that accounts have not been billed consistently in the past and said customers will now be billed based on their actual usage. 

“Based on what we’ve seen, it’s not so much the rate, it’s getting the bill for what you actually use,” he said.

Nicholson told residents his team will begin working around town in early February. 

He said the first phase will include verifying GIS mapping and meter locations. The commission has contracted with a company to begin replacing residential meters with an automated meter infrastructure. 

The new meters will provide residents with real-time access to water consumption data, allow them to monitor usage, send alerts for potential leaks and more. 

Nicholson said they will also begin focusing on major sewer improvements, which may be disruptive for some. He said residents will be notified in advance and provided updates if work affects them, as well as traffic.

Residents can make payments in three ways: by mailing a check to 2546 Two Notch Rd. in Lexington, calling JMWSC at 803-359-8373 to make a payment or paying online through JMWSC's payment portal.