The chairman of the Lake Marion Regional Water Agency says the effort to build a regional water system is in “limbo” as officials wait for the federal money needed to move the project forward.

“We are still waiting for an answer up there (Washington, D.C.),” said Johnnie Wright, chairman of the LMRWA. “Nobody knows for sure what is going to happen in Washington.”

A total of $6.5 million in federal funds was appropriated to be spent on LMRWA this year, but funding for the project was halted two months ago because of rule changes within the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers.

The amount would have been enough to complete the $25.4 million water treatment plant and lay down lines to the town of Santee. However, the project received only $2 million of the money due to the rule changes.

In the past, the Corps allowed appropriated funds to be loaned to other projects, then replaced the money as needed. The recent rule changes now allow only $2 million to replaced in any current year. Federal funding is critical to the project.

The Corps rules were changed, in part, because of the need to prioritize funding for hurricane relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. An estimated 100 projects came to a stop nationally.

Wright said that if the Corps identifies the project as a priority, the $4.5 million could be replaced as early as August.

“The worst-case scenario is (to receive money) in October after the fiscal year turns over,” he said.

Wright said if all had come through as expected, groundbreaking for the water treatment plant would have most likely have occurred in August. The water treatment plant is about 85 percent complete, and the line between the raw water well and the treatment plant is about 95 percent complete. The finish water pump station is also about 95 percent complete.

Wright said at the LMRWA meeting held earlier this month, the board agreed to send a letter to the Corps requesting the group present an update on the project and funding.

Wright said the letter is requesting the Corps provide an detailed cost estimate of the mobilization and remobilization of the project.

In addition to restart costs, there is a cost to store and secure certain pieces of equipment. Wright has estimated in the past that the cost could be thousands of dollars, but the letter sent to the Corps may give more of a definitive answer. Currently, Wright said the equipment and construction site is “well-contained.”

“We want to get details of expenditures from the construction administration,” Wright said. “We want to know what we are dealing with as far as monies.”

Wright said in the meantime, he is keeping a “positive and prayerful” attitude about the projects.

“I always believe in the process and that it will work out,” he said.

Despite the holdup with the Corps, the Senate approved the Energy and Water Appropriations bill, which contains $7 million for the LMRWA, at the end of June. The monies will be for the 2007 federal fiscal year, which begins October 1.

The money would also go toward the construction of a water tank and wastewater treatment facility at the John W. Matthews Industrial Park at the corner of U.S. highways 301 and 176.

The LMRWA is working with the state-owned utility Santee Cooper to develop the proposed $150 million water system, which would provide water to Holly Hill, Santee, Elloree, St. George, Summerton and Manning. The Orangeburg County towns of Eutawville and Vance are expected to be included in later phases.

You must be logged in to comment.