Grand Strand Water & Sewer News
Public Notice - CWSRF Notice - Central WWTP 4 MGD Expansion
November 12, 2025
The Central WWTP Expansion to 4 MGD is being financed by the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). The CWSRF program is administered by the SC Department of Environmental Services (SC DES) and the South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (SCRIA) with joint funding from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
This project is designed to increase the capacity of the existing Central holding basin to Four Million Gallons Per Day (4 MGD) with the construction of treatment basins, secondary clarifiers and return/waste activated sludge pump stations. Increasing capacity of the wastewater treatment system is necessary as the population in the wastewater system increases. The new treatment system will also allow for more system resiliency and redundancy, while reducing stress on the existing treatment infrastructure (Schwartz WWTP).
There were several alternative treatment options considered. Due to the isolation of the size limitations at the Schwartz WWTPs and transmission infrastructure constraints, the expansion was the only feasible option.
The location of the existing Central WWTP and existing transmission systems allow for diversion of flow from the existing Schwartz WWTP to effectively route and treat wastewater flow. The proposed Central WWTP expansion will connect to the existing transmission mains.
The project will mainly consist of the construction of two oxidation ditches, two secondary clarifiers, filtration systems, sludge thickener system, sludge press system, disinfection system, and all associated pumps and piping. The other design alternative is to not upgrade any treatment facility. This is not preferred as it would not allow operational flexibility to divert flows during times of high flow or during plant upsets.
The estimated cost of the project is $80,000,000 which includes all sitework, basins, clarifiers, filtration systems, pumps, piping and valves, fittings and any other appurtenances for the treatment system.
The project will have no adverse impacts to wetlands. There are no major environmental impacts associated with this project. It will include a new diffuser discharge into the Waccamaw River.
Grand Strand Water & Sewer Authority (GSWSA) will host a public hearing on Monday, December 15th, 2025 between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to discuss the project and to hear public comments. Members of the public are welcome to attend and provide comment for the public record. The meeting will take place at the Grand Strand Water & Sewer Authority Administration Center located at 166 Jackson Bluff Road, Conway, SC 29526.
