FAQ

ECWSA is a Special Purpose District separate from Edgefield County. The Authority receives no County or State tax money and operates only on water & sewer revenues.

ECWSA’s Water Treatment Plant treated and pumped over 1,500,000,000 gallons of water in 2012. Wastewater Operations treated and/or transported over 719,000,000 gallons of wastewater in 2012.

The Authority mails all water/sewer bills the last working day of each month and payment is due by the 20th. Failure to receive a bill does not relieve the customer’s obligation to pay the bill. In the event that you do not receive a bill, please call ECWSA at (803) 637-3011 and we will be happy to assist you.

Yes, all water meters are read as close as possible to the same time each month.

Water meters are to be read each month as close to the same date as possible. Bills will be mailed the last working day of each month. Full payment of water/sewer bills are due by the 20th of each month. Full payment for water/sewer bills are to be received in Administrataive Office by 5:00 P.M. on the 20th.If full payment is not received in Administrative Office by 5:00 P.M. on the 20th, a late penalty of $5.00 or 5% whichever is greater will be added to the original amount due. If full payment for water/sewer is not received in Administrative Office by 5:00 P.M. on the 20th, water service will be subject to be disconnected without further notice. Once water service has been disconnected, a $25 reconnect fee will be added to the outstanding balance and total amount must be paid in full before water service can be restored during normal business hours. For water service to be restored after hours from 5:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. Monday – Friday and on weekends a reconnect fee of $50 plus outstanding balance must be paid in full. Meter Reader will not be sent out to restore water service after 9:00 P.M.

All payments are required to be made by the due date that is printed on the bill. In some cases where the customer has had a leak and an adjustment is being made, then the Authority will assist the customer in bringing their bill to current status without their water being disconnected.

If a check is returned, the customer’s account is adjusted and a returned check fee of $30 is added. A letter is sent by ECWSA to the customer informing them that their check has returned unpaid by their bank, and the reason for the return. (Non-sufficient funds, account closed, etc.) The letter states the date that the check needs to be paid by, as well as the amount of the check with the returned check fee. Customer is given seven (7) days from the date of the letter to pay the check and returned check fee in full. If check and check fee are not paid, the customer’s service will be disconnected.

You could have low water pressure due to work being performed on our water system or possibly a leak on your service line. Please contact ECWSA at (803) 637-3011 to determine if there is a problem with the water system. If the Authority is not working on the system, then you should check your service line from the meter to your house for a possible leak.

When water has been shut off at the main, air may be trapped inside the lines. The milky color that you are seeing is probably due to air. You can check by filling a glass with water and letting it sit for a short time. If the water clears up, there is air in the line. To remove air from the line, turn on the cold water taps in your house and let them run for approx. 10 minutes. Should you still have a problem, please call ECWSA at (803) 637-3011.

Water that customers usually refer to as “muddy” water, may look like mud but is actually rust or iron oxides. When water stands in public water mains or in a customer’s galvanized service line or internal plumbing, it may naturally dissolve the iron. If your water suddenly becomes rusty, it may be caused by fire hydrant flushing or construction in the area.

If at any time the water is deemed unsafe to drink, you will be notified immediately by the Authority with guidance from South Carolina Dept. of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). You will be notified through various forms of the media.

Although, discolored water is normally harmless, it may leave stains when washing clothes. If you are experiencing discolored water, you may want to postpone doing laundry for a short time until the water clears.

If discolored water is noticed at your tap, turn your cold water on and run it for a few minutes to see if it clears up. If this doesn’t correct the problem within 10 minutes, please call ECWSA at (803) 637-3011.

First call the Authority at (803) 637-3011 and we will dispatch someone to check the sewer mains in the street. If there are no problems with the main lines, then the Authority will advise you to call a plumber.

Fats, oils, and grease are one of the largest contributors to sewer maintenance problems. Be part of the solution by not dumping used cooking oil or grease down your sink. Also, refrain from flushing paper products that are heavier than toilet tissue (paper towels, napkins, etc.).