Lake Marion Regional Water Agency

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Founded in 1994, the Lake Marion Regional Water Agency (LMRWA) is composed of Dorchester, Calhoun, Berkeley and Orangeburg Counties and the Town of Santee. Each of these counties has water deserts where large quantities of safe drinking water is unavailable. The LMWRA working in partnership with Santee Cooper, and the Army Corps of Engineers has constructed over forty-five (45) miles of water transmission lines to provide clean drinking water, enhanced fire suppression and economic growth to the desert areas.

Dorchester Reach

The most recently constructed water line is the Dorchester Reach. The Dorchester Reach runs 10.7 miles from the Town of Harleyville to the Ridgeville Industrial Park. The route of the water transmission main follows US Highway 178 to US Highway 78, then follows US Highway 78 to a 750,000-gallon elevated storage tank at the Ridgeville Industrial Park.

Improved Fire Protection

With the construction, fire hydrants have been located every 1,000 feet along its route from the Town of Harleyville to the Greater Ridgeville area. With the availability of these fire hydrants, the County and its residents can see a reduction in the cost of fire insurance due to an improved ISO rating.

Improved Quality of Life

The most notable change as a result of the Dorchester Reach is a significant increase in the quality of life for the residents along the Dorchester Reach and the towns it serves.

There is a great opportunity to improve the health of the citizens by having them move to water supplied through the Dorchester Reach and not from potentially contaminated shallow wells.

Job Creation

Dorchester County has already begun seeing a positive impact in economic development as a result of the Dorchester Reach. With an adequate supply of water from the Dorchester Reach in place, India based, Sundram Clayton, built their only plant in North America in Dorchester County and Walmart recently announced a $220 million investment with the construction of a distribution center at the Ridgeville Industrial Park, creating 1,000 full-time jobs.

Project Funding

The $13.66 million, Dorchester Reach and Highway 27 Extension was funded by collaboration at all levels of government which includes:

$8.95 Million from the Army Corps of Engineers
$3 Million from the SC Rural Infrastructure Authority
$1 Million from Santee Cooper
$375,875 from the Lake Marion Regional Water Agency
$400,000 from Dorchester County

Winding Woods Reach

Dorchester County, in partnership with the Lake Marion Regional Water Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, has completed two major infrastructure projects aimed at expanding access to clean, reliable water in the Winding Woods area.

A $4.79 million contract was awarded to Civil Works Contracting, LLC to construct a 500,000-gallon elevated water storage tank for the Lake Marion Regional Water Agency. The tank, designed by Hazen and Sawyer, is now complete, and the County expects to receive the permit to operate shortly.

Additionally, a $12.85 million contract was awarded to LGC Global Inc. to construct the Winding Woods Reach, which includes approximately 41,500 linear feet of 16-inch water main and the installation of fire hydrants. This portion of the project has also been completed.

The newly constructed line will serve the Winding Woods Commerce Park, including Port 95 Business Park and its first tenant, Comact, as well as Google, the BID Group, Dockside Logistics, Woodland High School, the new Woodland Middle School, the Dorchester County Courthouse, and the greater St. George area. This expanded service area will support economic growth, education, government operations, and public safety.

Dorchester County contributed a local match of $3,625,000, also known as the sponsor share, to support construction of the Winding Woods Reach.

Dorchester County is a member of the Lake Marion Regional Water Agency, along with the Town of Santee, Orangeburg County, Calhoun County, and Berkeley County.

The project is administered by the Charleston District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under the Lakes Marion and Moultrie Project, which follows a 75 percent federal and 25 percent non-federal sponsor funding model. Santee Cooper operates the Lake Marion Regional Water System.

thumbnail_Project Map Dorchester County is moving forward with a major infrastructure initiative to support the tremendous growth occurring in the Upper St. George area, near the US-15 & I-26 interchange and the I-95 & US-178 interchange. The proposed water main project is aimed at fostering sustainable economic growth and enhancing the quality of life for residents by delivering reliable water and sewer service to a corridor that has historically lacked the necessary infrastructure.

Dorchester County Water & Sewer (DCWS) owns and operates a 250,000-gallon elevated tank and two wells off Misty Glen Road (PSW ID 1870914), as well as approximately 20,000 linear feet of mostly 8-inch water mains. From the existing well and tank site, the 8-inch water main runs north along Misty Glen Road to Charleston Highway before turning west for approximately 9,000 linear feet. An additional segment of 8-inch line runs north along Shady Grove for about 8,000 linear feet. Along the route, the system includes fire hydrants to provide fire protection and flushing capabilities, as well as valves to isolate the line as needed. The I-95 water distribution system currently serves 41 customers, both residential and commercial.

Constructed in 2017, Well #2 at the I-95 site serves as the primary source of water. It is approximately 1,670 feet deep with a 10-inch casing and a 500-gallon-per-minute, 40-horsepower turbine pump. Well #1, which was installed in the mid-1990s, provides a backup source with a capacity of 100 gallons per minute using a 15-horsepower turbine pump. Once water is drawn from the aquifer, chlorine is added as a disinfectant to maintain quality.

The project will extend linear infrastructure from the regional Lake Marion Water System (LMRWS) to the US-15 and I-26 interchange to serve proposed developments. This project will also provide the water infrastructure needed to complement the wastewater improvements currently underway in the same location.

The long-term benefits for DCWS include increased drinking water availability along the corridor, as well as opportunities to interconnect with both the Lake Marion Regional Water System and the Academy Water System in St. George. The existing production wells on I-95 and Academy Road will continue to serve as backup sources and will be converted to chloramine disinfection, which provides longer-lasting treatment as water moves through the system. The proposed water main represents the minimum infrastructure required to support new development at the US-15/I-26 interchange.

In addition to the Upper St. George project, Dorchester County is also advancing two complementary water line extensions. The Highway 178 Water Line Extension, which is fully funded and currently under construction, consists of approximately 15,700 feet of new 12-inch water main, sixteen fire hydrants, and all necessary appurtenances. The line begins at the I-95 well and tank site, extending along Misty Glen Road and US-178 to the intersection of US-15 and US-178.

The US Highway 15 Water Improvements Project is currently in design, with funding applications underway. This project will extend approximately 13,000 feet of 20-inch water main, including twelve fire hydrants and appurtenances, along the US-15 corridor from Highway 178 to I-26. The extension will connect to the Highway 178 water main currently under construction. Funding may include an RIA grant expected to be awarded in December 2025. If approved, the grant would reduce the County’s reliance on impact fees and the Water & Sewer Fund.

Together, these projects will provide the essential infrastructure needed to unlock the full economic potential of the US-15 and I-26 interchange, support new residential and commercial growth, and strengthen water system reliability for Dorchester County residents and businesses for decades to come.