OLAR, S.C.  – Olar town officials have now cleared all the documentation hurdles to begin installation of its new water lines.

The town experienced delays in the project this summer as a result of additional information requirements from one federal agency.

The water line installation is part of $2 million in new construction and improvements that will result in a regional water system for the towns of Olar and Govan in southwestern Bamberg County. Funding for the project has come from different sources in both towns, including a Community Development Block Grant of $500,000 in Govan and from USDA Rural Development, the Environmental Protection Agency and the South Carolina Budget and Control Board.

Olar Mayor Walter O’Rear says installation of eight- and six-inch water main lines inside town limits is the first phase of the project that includes other water system enhancements.

“We are replacing our present system with new water lines and new meters on every street in town,” O’Rear said. “The fire hydrants will be on the eight-inch line, and everything in town will be on a six-inch line. We will also run some lines down Memorial Church Road between Govan and Olar to serve some of the areas outlying the two towns.”

“When the regional system is completed, it will be a big boost for the area,” he continued. “Our water system is approximately 70 years old, and Govan’s was badly outdated.”

Olar Town Clerk Tom Harris said final agreements have been signed with two contractors who will be handling the water line installation and the construction of a new 150,000-gallon water tank. One-inch service lines will also be installed to connect houses to the system. Approximately 150-160 homes and businesses will be on the regional system.

“The main water line pipe has now been delivered, and it’s on the ground here. The contractor handling the tank has already finished taking core samples of the soil and begun driving pilings on which the tank will sit,” Harris said. “The entire course of the project should be completed in nine months from the time we begin, probably by next week. The work involves making some improvements to existing infrastructure, along with the new construction. When we’re finished there will be roughly 50-55 hydrants in Olar alone.”

According to Govan Mayor John Ganus, the installation of approximately two miles of water line toward Olar that began in early August is complete.

“The pad is being prepared now for where our new well will be dug,” Ganus said. “Approximately two miles of pipeline will join the two towns. The Govan pipeline is already in the ground. The only thing that remains is connecting the lines from both towns at U.S. 321 beneath the railroad tracks.”

Besides providing physical infrastructure improvements needed to spur economic development along the U.S. 321 corridor, completion of the Govan-Olar regional water system will result in better fire protection.

Olar Volunteer Fire Department Chief Chris Fail said the new system will provide more fire hydrants within a five-mile radius of his station, better water pressure and a reliable source of water, all key components for an improved ISO rating.

“Right now we are at an ISO 6 rating,” Fail said. “An improved water delivery system is needed here. The only other way that we could improve our rating is if we could get more qualified manpower.”

Govan VFD Fire Chief Mike Epperson, whose station currently possesses an ISO rating of 10, had originally anticipated scheduling a new inspection for August or September. He says that is now on the back burner until construction on the new water system is complete.

“The addition of fire hydrants in Govan, where no usable facilities currently exist, may allow us to cut our ISO rating in half,” Epperson said.

T&D Staff Writer Phil Sarata can be reached by e-mail at psarata@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5540.

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