Renewable Water Resources of Greenville, SC, has two wastewater reclamation plants on the Reedy. They are permitted by SCDES and work very hard to stay in compliance with their permits, keeping the Reedy sparkly.
Wet Weather Projects
Inflow and infiltration (I/I) refers to rainwater and groundwater that enters the wastewater system through cracks in aging pipes, leaky joints, deteriorated manholes, or improper connections. During wet weather, this extra water can overwhelm sewer pipes and treatment facilities, increasing the risk of sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) and placing unnecessary strain on infrastructure that was never designed to carry stormwater. Reducing I/I is one of the most effective ways to improve system reliability, protect local waterways, and ensure capacity for future growth.
ReWa and its subdistricts have implemented a long-term, systemwide I/I reduction program across 50 sewer metered basins. Together, these efforts target approximately 77.5 million gallons per day of I/I reduction, which is expected to abate more than 26 million gallons of sewer overflow volume. The program combines pipe rehabilitation and large-scale conveyance improvements in areas most affected by wet-weather flows.
Several of these large scale conveyance projects forming the backbone of this I/I reduction work are either complete or underway. Ongoing projects along Brushy Creek and Welcome Creek are replacing approximately 13,000 linear feet to larger-diameter pipe to improve capacity. Similar upgrades are active along Gilder Creek, where older parallel sewer lines are being consolidated into a new 36-inch gravity sewer. One of the completed projects routes through Unity Park, where sewer infrastructure dating back to the 1920s and 1950s has been replaced with modern, higher-capacity pipe that connects directly to the Reedy River Basin Sewer Tunnel. Additional upgrades, including the Swamp Rabbit Trunk Sewer projects, further strengthen the system by upsizing and relocating major sewer lines to handle both current and projected flows.
One of ReWa’s most significant investments is the Reedy River Basin Sewer Tunnel (project known as DIG GVL), a 1.3-mile tunnel constructed approximately 100 feet beneath downtown Greenville. The tunnel houses an 84-inch carrier pipe that safely conveys large wet-weather flows, reducing the risk of overflows in the urban core while minimizing surface disruption. Together, these projects represent a coordinated approach to reducing I/I, improving water quality, and protecting the Reedy River during wet weather events.
Streambank Stabilization Projects
Since 2022, ReWa's collections & maintenance and engineering teams have led streambank stabilization efforts in the Reedy River watershed to reduce erosion and prevent pipeline failure, ultimately protecting water quality. These efforts total over 58 work orders and 14,000 linear feet in new repairs since 2022.
ReWa Effluent Monitoring
Effluent is the highly treated water released from ReWa’s Mauldin Road Water Resource Recovery Facility into the Reedy River after wastewater from homes, businesses, and industries undergoes a rigorous, multi-step treatment process that meets or exceeds environmental standards. This clean water helps improve river health by containing fewer bacteria than the river itself, protects aquatic habitats and wildlife, supports recreation like paddling and swimming, and provides a reliable source of water for downstream communities. To ensure quality, ReWa tests effluent daily for nutrients, bacteria, oxygen levels, and metals. A dedicated team of licensed operators, laboratory analysts, and scientists work behind the scenes to monitor and manage this process, safeguarding the health of the river and the people who depend on it.
