South Carolina county receives $9 million grant to improve stormwater infrastructure
Richland County will use a $9 million state grant on a water project to rehabilitate and replace the drainage system for Hickory Ridge development in Southeast Richland.
The county has procured an engineer to begin the projects design phase, and construction is projected to begin in spring 2025.
The county’s Stormwater Management Division received the grant through the South Carolina Infrastructure Investment Program (SCIIP), which is administered by the state’s Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA). The state awards funding through the SCIIP for long-term capital improvements that strengthen critical infrastructure and create more stormwater-resilient communities.
Richland County Council approved the project in February, allowing county staff to move forward with the process of selecting a project manager. The upgrades will affect about 90 households.
A public meeting, set for June 8, 2024, at the Garners Ferry Adult Activity Center, will give updates on the project and allow for community input. The county will provide more details before the upcoming meeting.
Hickory Ridge is situated between Mill Creek and Cabin Branch watersheds. Due to water in the area containing high levels of bacteria, both watersheds are on the state’s list of impaired waterways, known as the 303(d) list. Richland County has prioritized Hickory Ridge as a potential critical infrastructure project since 2018.
