Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority
Encyclopedia
The Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority (often shortened to BJWSA) is a public, non-profit corporation which handles water
and wastewater
operations for many areas in Beaufort
and Jasper counties in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina
. The Authority was created under the provisions of Act 784 by the South Carolina General Assembly
in 1954 to provide services to Beaufort County. In 1969, its powers were expanded to include wastewater facility construction and services. In 1983, the authority merged with the Jasper County Water and Sewer Authority and thus adopting the BJWSA moniker.
The authority is governed by an eleven-member board appointed by the Governor of South Carolina
. A general manager is in charge of day-to-day operations of the authority and oversees the various departments and functions of BJWSA. The Authority's headquarters is located near the border of Beaufort and Jasper counties, between Beaufort
and Bluffton
along S.C. Highway 170
in the Okatie area.
The major fresh-water source for BJWSA is the Savannah River
, approximately eight miles north of downtown Hardeeville. An eighteen-mile canal carries freshwater from the river to the BJWSA facility for treatment purposes. The authority operates two water treatment plants, three wastewater treatment plants and hundreds of pump stations.
BJWSA has approximately 45,000 retail accounts for water services and approximately 28,000 for wastewater services. Although initially set up to provide water and wastewater services to unincorporated areas, BJWSA currently provides services for customers living in incorporated areas of Beaufort, Bluffton, Hardeeville and Port Royal
, as well as many surrounding unincorporated areas. Additionally, the Authority provides services for the area's military installations and several public service districts on a wholesale basis.
Water
Water is a chemical substance with the chemical formula H2O. A water molecule contains one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms connected by covalent bonds. Water is a liquid at ambient conditions, but it often co-exists on Earth with its solid state, ice, and gaseous state . Water also exists in a...
and wastewater
Wastewater
Wastewater is any water that has been adversely affected in quality by anthropogenic influence. It comprises liquid waste discharged by domestic residences, commercial properties, industry, and/or agriculture and can encompass a wide range of potential contaminants and concentrations...
operations for many areas in Beaufort
Beaufort County, South Carolina
-National protected areas:*Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge *Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 155,215 people, 45,532 households, and 33,056 families residing in the county. The population density was 206 people per...
and Jasper counties in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
. The Authority was created under the provisions of Act 784 by the South Carolina General Assembly
South Carolina General Assembly
The South Carolina General Assembly, also called the South Carolina Legislature, is the state legislature of the U.S. state of South Carolina. The legislature is bicameral and consists of the lower South Carolina House of Representatives and the upper South Carolina Senate. Altogether, the General...
in 1954 to provide services to Beaufort County. In 1969, its powers were expanded to include wastewater facility construction and services. In 1983, the authority merged with the Jasper County Water and Sewer Authority and thus adopting the BJWSA moniker.
The authority is governed by an eleven-member board appointed by the Governor of South Carolina
Governor of South Carolina
The Governor of the State of South Carolina is the head of state for the State of South Carolina. Under the South Carolina Constitution, the Governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the South Carolina executive branch. The Governor is the ex officio...
. A general manager is in charge of day-to-day operations of the authority and oversees the various departments and functions of BJWSA. The Authority's headquarters is located near the border of Beaufort and Jasper counties, between Beaufort
Beaufort, South Carolina
Beaufort is a city in and the county seat of Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. Chartered in 1711, it is the second-oldest city in South Carolina, behind Charleston. The city's population was 12,361 in the 2010 census. It is located in the Hilton Head Island-Beaufort Micropolitan...
and Bluffton
Bluffton, South Carolina
The weather in the Bluffton, SC area is typical of the Southeast with generally mild temperatures from Fall through Spring and a warm and humid Summer. There can be occasionally snow flurries in the winter but that is quite unusual....
along S.C. Highway 170
S.C. Highway 170
South Carolina Highway 170 is a state highway, connecting northern Beaufort County with southern portions of Beaufort and Jasper counties...
in the Okatie area.
The major fresh-water source for BJWSA is the Savannah River
Savannah River
The Savannah River is a major river in the southeastern United States, forming most of the border between the states of South Carolina and Georgia. Two tributaries of the Savannah, the Tugaloo River and the Chattooga River, form the northernmost part of the border...
, approximately eight miles north of downtown Hardeeville. An eighteen-mile canal carries freshwater from the river to the BJWSA facility for treatment purposes. The authority operates two water treatment plants, three wastewater treatment plants and hundreds of pump stations.
BJWSA has approximately 45,000 retail accounts for water services and approximately 28,000 for wastewater services. Although initially set up to provide water and wastewater services to unincorporated areas, BJWSA currently provides services for customers living in incorporated areas of Beaufort, Bluffton, Hardeeville and Port Royal
Port Royal, South Carolina
Port Royal is a town in Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. Largely because of annexation of surrounding areas , the population of Port Royal rose from 3,950 in 2000 to 10,678 in 2010, a 170% increase. As defined by the U.S...
, as well as many surrounding unincorporated areas. Additionally, the Authority provides services for the area's military installations and several public service districts on a wholesale basis.