FLORENCE, S.C. — The city of Florence, S.C., is putting $2.25 million in federal money toward its water system as city leaders try to get ahead of long-running resident complaints about discolored, brown tap water.
City officials said this week that the money is aimed at the Pine Street Groundwater Treatment Plant and is one piece of a larger effort to upgrade several plants across Florence. They plan to use it to raise plant capacity, build in more backup within the system and keep water flowing during severe weather.
The funding came through the Community Project Funding process and was secured by U.S. Rep. Russell Fry. His office has said the $2,250,000 was included in federal spending bills that President Trump signed into law, as part of $10,872,512 in projects for South Carolina’s 7th Congressional District. Fry’s office described the goal as making sure hospitals and other critical infrastructure keep operating during emergencies.
Mayor Lethonia Barnes said the money will help the city finish infrastructure work that has been needed for years, and she acknowledged that water quality has been a major issue, with the city fielding frequent calls about it. Officials gathered at the GE Groundwater Treatment Plant, where Barnes said a roughly $10 million upgrade is nearly complete. Fry toured that site with city leaders and spoke about working across party lines to win grants for local projects.
State Rep. Terry Alexander, who represents Florence County in the S.C. House, said reliable water is a foundation for future economic growth and new development.
More work is coming. In a separate request for the next budget year, Fry has asked Congress for $10,000,000 for a Pine Street Water Plant project. That plant was originally built in 1959 and is a key source of drinking water for residents and the McLeod Health hospital system, according to the request. Work on other city water plants is ongoing.
