The District, established May 6, 1965, became official on June 9th with the first meeting and election of five officers to serve as Board members for the Beech Island Water District. The District began with 13 miles of waterline to serve 251 families, one well, and a 200,000 gallon storage tank at the now “old” office building.
Moving to the present, the District has an extensive infrastructure providing water service to a larger area. This gravity-based system is supplied by seven wells located throughout the service area and six storage tanks. All the wells draw water from the Tuscaloosa Aquifer, which is approximately 500 feet below ground level.
After 40 years of service at 480 Beech Island Avenue, the new District office and maintenance building were constructed and occupied in late summer of 2008. Located at 630 Beech Island Avenue, the facility has a customer lobby, drive-up window, and night depository.
History
April 21, 1965 - Residents of Beech Island unanimously voted to establish the Beech Island Water District and to construct a $200,000 modern water works system. All 223 ballots cast in the referendum were in favor of setting up the water district.
>>> View the Article in the Augusta Chronicle
May 6, 1965 – A description of the district was filed with the South Carolina Secretary of State's office to form the District.
On June 9, 1965- a meeting was held, and officers were elected to serve as board members of the water district, comprising five board members.
November 1965 – A federal grant of $235,000.00 was allocated. These funds were used to construct a 200,000-gallon storage tank, well #1, a pumping station, a treatment facility, and 13 miles of pipe to serve 251 families and provide a base for future growth. At that time, the daily consumption was 100,000 gallons per day.
>>> View the Newspaper Article
1971 – A 100,000-gallon storage tank was constructed at the corner of Pine Log Road and Piney Heights Road, and lines were extended along Pine Log Road.
1975 – Well #3, located on Hwy #125, and a 250,000-gallon elevated storage tank were constructed.
1977 – Well #4 is located on Pine Log Road across from Beech Island Avenue (now known as the booster pump station).
1982 and 1983 – Well #5 was located on Demedicis Boulevard, and a 250,000 gallon storage tank was constructed.
1991 – Well #6 is located on the Panton Plantation property on Pine Log Road. A 300,000-gallon storage tank was also constructed at Well #4. All six wells draw from the Tuscaloosa Aquifer.
June 1999 – Aiken County Council expanded the boundaries of the district with resolution #99-6-124
July 2005 – Aiken County council expanded the boundaries of the district with resolution #05-07-145.
July 16, 2008 – South Carolina General Assembly, after legislation, empowered the district to provide sanitary sewer—Aiken County resolution #08-07-179.
Today, the district serves 3300 water customers with a daily consumption of 1,081,000 gallons per day. The pumping capacity is 2,598,200 gallons per day, which includes wholesale customers Kimberly-Clark, Pactiv Corporation, Aiken County Sewerage Treatment Plant, and Valley Public Service Authority.
2008 – U.S. Rural Development approved a $6,971,200,00 Loan, and the district is in the process of extending and upgrading to 6” water mains with fire hydrants on Tennis Ranch Road, CCC Road, Pine Log Road from Church Road to Highway #278. Herndon Dairy Road to Oak Pointe Subdivision. Storm Branch Road, Brier Patch Road, Old Jackson Highway.
New office and maintenance facility at 630 Beech Island Avenue. Moved in August 2008
The water treatment will also be changed from soda ash to lime slurry at all five well sites.
A 250,000-gallon tank and treatment facility are being constructed on the additional property purchased on the Piney Heights site. The 100,000-gallon storage tank was torn down.
Line extensions out of pocket are Scarborough, Tennis Ranch Road, Saddlehorse Road, Appaloosa Way, Keith Drive, Arabian & Buckskin Courts. Rural development reimbursed $525,000.00 for the out-of-pocket expense from the 2008 loan.
On March 16, 2010, Beam’s construction won the bid for the installation of a sanitary sewer line from Highway #125 at the bank to the lift station on Old Jackson Highway.
Up-dated 4/10
