News
GMD is proud to share our accomplishments and events with the community.
GMD revitalizing sewer collection system
GMD replacing sewer lines
The Greenwood Metropolitan District (GMD) is announcing the start of a sewer line replacement project in the area between Gilliam Court and Singleton Street. The “Stockman Branch CDBG Project” will install approximately 1,100 feet of 16-inch diameter sewer line and 2,300 feet of 8-inch diameter sewer line on Gilliam Court, Dallas Court, Sumter Street, and Singleton Street.
Many of the existing sewer lines are located under homes making them inaccessible for maintenance activities. This has resulted in lines that are in poor structural condition and allow unwanted surface water and groundwater to get into the sewer lines increasing the possibility of a sanitary sewer overflows (SSO). The complete replacement and relocation of these sewer lines will eliminate the unwanted water, reduce SSO’s and improve the water quality along Stockman Branch. The $775,000 project is being funded in part by a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant. Construction is expected to begin in April 2013 and continue until November 2013.
GMD Treatment Plant Recognized for Excellence
Greenwood Metropolitan District (GMD) is proud to announce that its West Alexander wastewater treatment plant received Peak Performance Awards for the 2011 calendar year from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA). The Peak Performance Awards program recognizes public wastewater treatment plants for their outstanding compliance records. NACWA was proud to recognize our facility during the 2012 Summer Conference held in Philadelphia.
NACWA presents the prestigious Gold Peak Performance Award to recognize 100 percent compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits over a calendar year
Caring People, Protecting the Environment
GMD Receives $500,000.00 Grant
The South Carolina Department of Commerce announced August 26, 2011 that Greenwood Metropolitan District had been awarded a $500,000.00 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The projects receiving grants were selected through a statewide competitive process.
GMD will use the $500,000.00 federal grant to make improvements to its wastewater collection system. George Martin, GMD's General Manager, said the project will install 2,500 feet of new 8" PVC sewer line and use cast-in-place-pipe (CIPP) lining technology to rehabilitate another 1,100 feet of existing sewer line in the Panola Mill Village replacing deteriorated clay lines that are more than 90 years old.
Martin said the new lines will be installed under the sidewalks along Second, Third and Forth Streets.
Since 2007, GMD has received $2.3 million in CDBG funds which the District has used to help upgrade its wastewater collection system. Martin said GMD will continue to apply for CDBG funds and other grants in order to continue its efforts to upgrade Greenwood's infrastructure. GMD is very pleased that the Department of Commerce has made this investment in upgrading the sewer system and thereby helping protect the environment and public health for those who live in Greenwood.
Smoke Testing Week of Aug 6, 2012
July 30, 2012
The Greenwood Metropolitan District may be smoke testing in your area as a part of a Sanitary Sewer System Evaluation Survey (SSES). The SSES is a vital step in helping bring Greenwoods sewer system issues to light and aid GMD with meeting todays regulatory requirements by identifying sources where rainwater can enter the system.
The smoke testing is a way of finding breaks or improper connections in sewer lines. The smoke is forced into the line and comes out of cracks, holes and other defects in the sewer system.
GMD crews notify the fire departments prior to performing the smoke testing procedure. It is normal to see smoke exit the vent stacks on your home or building during the smoke testing operation. Remember, the smoke is non-toxic, creates no fire hazard and will not harm children, pets or plants.
If you are in the areas of the smoke testing, listed below, please run or pour water in all drain that are not often used, such as garage basement floor drains. If an excessive amount of smoke still enters your home, please call us at 377-1763 or 377-2288.
The week of August 6 - 10, 2012 we hope to be in these locations:
Connie Maxwell, Kitson Mill Village, Self Regional Hospital, Uptown Greenwood. Which also includes Main St., Cambridge Ave., Maxwell Ave., Spring St., W. Alexander Ave. and surrounding areas
GMD Recognizes Local Industries
The Greenwood Metropolitan District (GMD) recently recognized local industries who achieved outstanding compliance with the wastewater pretreatment program. During the past year, the industries showed their commitment to protecting the local environment by meeting or exceeding federal, state, and local environmental standards.
Gold award winners, with total compliance in 2011 were Cooper Power Systems, COVIDIEN, CNC Plating, Eaton Electrical, Eaton Corporation Hydraulics Group, FUJIFILM Manufacturing U.S.A., Inc., Greenwood Forgings, Greenwood County Landfill, Greenwood Fabricating & Plating and Self Regional Linen Services. These companies were recently recognized during the District’s tenth annual industrial achievement workshop at the Emmett F. Brooks Facility.
Silver award winners, were Ascend Performance Materials and Carolina Pride Foods which had only one violation in 2011.
GMD thanks all the award winners and their employees for their hard work, dedication and environmental stewardship. We congratulate them attaining this level of excellence.
Kevin Fleming, I&I Coordinator Receives SC Water Environment Association Dennis Pittman Award
Greenwood Metropolitan District is proud to recognize Kevin Fleming, I&I Coordinator for GMD, in receiving the Water Environment Association of South Carolina Dennis Pittman Collection System Award. This award is given to an individual who has displayed excellent achievement in the maintenance of a wastewater collection system. Kevin received the award during the SC Environmental Conference at Myrtle Beach on March 13, 2012. Kevin stated that he really enjoys his work and is thankful for the opportunity to serve GMD and the community in this manner.
Kevin has over 9 years of experience in the wastewater field. He is responsible for finding defects in broken service lines and cleanouts through smoke testing and/or dye testing. His overall goal is to keeping unwanted water out of the sewer system. George Martin, General Manager of the Greenwood Metropolitan District said, "We are so proud that Kevin has been honoured with this coveted award by his peers. Having worked closely with Mr. Pittman myself, this award has great personal meaning and Kevin is a very fitting recipient who embodies the talent, skills and vision that Mr. Pittman and this award represent.”
GMD to upgrade sewer infrastructure
The Greenwood Metropolitan District (GMD) is announcing the start of two sewer line replacement projects in the Edgefield Street area. Both of these projects will replace structurally deficient pipe that is more than seventy-five years old and will eliminate Sanitary Sewer Overflows by reducing the amount of Inflow & Infiltration (unwanted surface water and groundwater) that enters the sewer system.
The first project “Panola Branch Replacement Sewer – Phase 2” will begin on Metro Drive and will continue to Panola Avenue crossing Edgefield Street. The existing 12-inch diameter sewer will be replaced with 5,100 feet of new 24-inch gravity sewer. Along the way, approximately 3,400 feet of 8 to 12 inch gravity sewers will replace existing collection lines that discharge to the 24-inch trunk line. The $1.4 million dollar project is being funded through a low-interest loan provided by the South Carolina State Revolving Fund Program. Construction will begin April 16, 2012.
The second project “Panola Village Replacement Sewer” will replace approximately 3,650 feet of 8-inch diameter sewer on First Street, Second Street, Third Street, and Fourth Street. The existing 8-inch diameter sewer lines are some of the oldest in Greenwood, they are in very poor structural condition. Many of the sewer lines run under homes making them inaccessible for maintenance activities. The project will include complete replacement and relocation of the lines. The $675,000 project is being funded in part by a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant. Construction is expected to begin early May 2012.