First Water Treatment Plant in South Carolina
To Use Membrane Treatment Technology
In 1995, Santee Cooper was asked by Calhoun, Clarendon, Colleton,
Dorchester, Orangeburg, and Sumter counties to facilitate the development
of the Lake Marion Regional Water Agency to serve all six counties
in South Carolina. The six counties formed a steering committee to
work with Santee Cooper in the development of this project. In 1998,
HUA was selected to be the design consultant for the portion of the
project including the raw water intake, water treatment plant, finished
water pump station, and an elevated storage tank. 
HUA, in coordination with Santee Cooper, evaluated five treatment
technologies for their ability to provide high quality water and to
determine the operation and maintenance costs associated with each
treatment system. The decision was made to evaluate membrane technologies
as well as conventional treatment technologies that are available
and currently being utilized in the state of South Carolina.
After carefully reviewing technologies and several months of pilot
studies, it was determined that the Zenon Zeeweed membrane system
would be utilized for the operation of the WTP. Zenon Zeeweed membranes
are submerged, ultrafiltration membranes that allow coagulation to
occur simultaneously in the same tank.
In July 2002, HUA was given the go ahead on the design of the project.
The project includes the design of a raw water intake and pump station,
the water treatment plant, clearwells, elevated tank, meter vaults,
and SCADA system. The project is being funded with grant funds from
several sources including the Corps of Engineers, EPA, South Carolina
Department of Commerce, Tobacco Grants, and local match. Therefore,
design activities must be closely coordinated through several federal
and state agencies.
This groundbreaking project is the first Water Treatment Plant in
South Carolina utilizing membrane treatment technology. |
