Like other rural communities, the City of Abbeville faced many challenges from aging and deteriorating infrastructure. The state of the city’s waterlines was leading to water quality complaints, the wastewater treatment plant was moving toward potential regulatory problems, stormwater runoff was entering the sewer system, and the hydroelectric dam needed upgrades. Housing developments and electric school bus adoption were increasing the demand on the city’s electrical grid. In 2018, the city began a sustainability-focused effort addressing all of these issues through upgrades and refurbishments, and even the extension of water lines.   

With help from the utilities department and public input sessions, the city created a capital improvement plan, prioritizing projects based on their potential impact on residents, health and safety considerations, feasibility and economic needs. City council selects specific projects from the list to pursue each year. Of the approximately $15 million invested into water and sewer infrastructure over six years, nearly 80% has been funded through grants and one-time federal and state funding. The Upper Savannah Council of Governments helped with grant applications and the 2023 comprehensive plan process, with other support coming from the SC Rural Infrastructure Authority, SC Department of Health and Environmental Control and SC Department of Transportation, which helped by timing its street repaving to align with the waterline work.  

Abbeville’s investments in itself have now paid dividends with the arrival of new commercial operations, industry and housing developments. The city is planning further projects across all utility types through 2026. After that, it will add further projects to its capital improvement plan, and update its comprehensive plan.  

Contact Mike Clary at mclary@abbevillecitysc.com or 864.366.1800.