Carolina Water Service (CWS) – the wastewater plant off I-20 in Lexington that’s been polluting the Lower Saluda River for years – is being condemned by the Town of Lexington and will be taken over by the Town. (In March, CWS was fined $1.5 million for environmental violations, including failing to test its water for sewage + other bacteria diverted into the river.)

CWS is willing to hand over possession of the plant, but for the right price. They recently rejected the Town’s $1.58 million offer – after also rejecting a $1.3 million offer earlier this year. While price is still a point of discontent, the condemnation process starts this week.

Once the plant is acquired by the Town of Lexington, the Town will tie CWS’ 200,000 customers into a public regional wastewater system in Cayce (they’ve already bought the equipment to do this), then close the plant.

3 min read / Free Times