Economic Development

Bamberg County is located in the southeastern portion of South Carolina, and the County includes of the municipalities of Bamberg, Denmark, Ehrhardt, Govan, and Olar. Site Location Maps, Aerial Maps, National Wetland Inventory (NWI) Maps, and FEMA Flood Hazard Maps of each of these municipalities and their surrounding vicinities are presented in Appendix A. A series of state and federal highways, including U.S. Highway 321, U.S. Highway 601, and U.S. Highway 301, traverse the County and provide access to the more populated areas. Furthermore, all of the five (5) municipalities are located along one (1) of the three (3) major U.S. Highways traversing Bamberg County. Many of Bamberg County’s citizens are currently served by public water and wastewater systems whose service areas include the majority of the incorporated areas.

Most of the unincorporated areas in Bamberg County have minimal public water and/or wastewater service or service at all. The development of additional water systems and wastewater systems could provide needed service for future residential, commercial, and industrial development within the County, especially in the unincorporated areas. Regionalized water and wastewater systems coupled with, additional and improved facilities needed to support the regional system, would help to support further industrial and economic development in Bamberg County.

The initial step in evaluating the water and wastewater systems for Bamberg County is to define the study areas and existing service regions. The municipalities of Bamberg, Denmark, Ehrhardt, Govan, and Olar own, operate, and maintain water supply, treatment, storage, and distribution systems. Additionally, Bamberg County owns the elevated water storage tank at the Bamberg County Airport Industrial Park along U.S. Highway 78 between Bamberg and Denmark. Moreover, the municipalities of Bamberg, Denmark, and Ehrhardt own, operate, and maintain wastewater collection systems and their associated treatment facilities. The majority of the service areas of the existing water and wastewater systems within Bamberg County are limited to the close proximity of each municipality. This being the case, the potential for new customers within the currently serviced areas is extremely limited. Maintaining public water and wastewater systems that are totally compliant with current regulatory standards can become financially difficult, if not impossible, for systems with limited growth and little potential for new customers. The existing water and wastewater service areas of Bamberg County are illustrated in Exhibit A and Exhibit B, respectively.

The City of Bamberg and its surrounding area are provided with public water and wastewater service by the Bamberg Board of Public Works (BBPW). The City of Bamberg is located in the north center of Bamberg County along U.S. Highway 78, U.S. Highway 301, U.S. Highway 601, S.C. Highway 20, and S.C. Highway 362. According to the 2000 Census, the City of Bamberg had an estimated population of 3,733 persons within approximately 2,265 acres. The water distribution system, the wastewater collection system, and their associated treatment facilities serving the City of Bamberg are owned, operated, and maintained by the BBPW.

The City of Denmark is located in the northwest corner of Bamberg County along U.S. Highway 78, U.S. Highway 321, and S.C. Highway 70. According to the 2000 Census, the City of Denmark had an estimated population of 3,328 persons within approximately 1,945 acres. Their water distribution system, the wastewater collection system, and their associated facilities serving the City of Denmark are owned, operated, and managed by the City of Denmark and their Department of Waterworks.

The Town of Ehrhardt is located in southeastern Bamberg County along U.S. Highway 601 and S.C. Highway 64. According to the 2000 Census, the Town of Ehrhardt had an estimated population of 614 persons within approximately 2,045 acres. The water distribution system, the wastewater collection system, and their associated facilities are owned, operated, and maintained by the Town of Ehrhardt.

The Town of Govan is located in the southwestern portion of Bamberg County along U.S. Highway 321. According to the 2000 Census, the Town of Govan had an estimated population of 67 within approximately 480 acres. The Town of Govan currently owns, operates, and maintains a water distribution system and associated facilities within the Town limits.

The Town of Olar is also located in southwestern Bamberg County near the intersection of U.S. Highway 321 and S.C. Highway 67. According to the 2000 Census, the Town of Olar had an estimated population of 237 persons within approximately 505 acres. The water distribution system and associated facilities are owned, operated, and maintained by the Town of Olar.