Changes to Mandatory Hookup Ordinance

December 22, 2009 – Earlier this year, Berkeley County Water and Sanitation sent out letters to some property owners advising them that water was now available to their property and that they should connect to that service within 180 days. This advice was based upon a Mandatory Hook-up Ordinance passed by County Council in 1994. However County Council has since rescinded the mandatory hookup requirement.

The property owners contacted are no longer required to connect to public water. However, they are encouraged to take advantage of the benefits of the available system. In fact all property owners, where public water is available, are encouraged to connect.

There are fees associated with the individual connection to the public water. Each resident must pay $2500 before the connection can be made. This $2500 fee includes a $1350 impact fee, $1050 connection fee and a $100 inspection fee. In addition, there is a onetime $20 origin fee that is charged to your account. The $20 fee will be added to the first month’s water bill.

For any household that needs financial assistance, $2400 of the requested $2500 can be financed at zero percent interest. The minimum payment is $20 a month and will be added to your monthly water bill until paid in full.

In order to qualify, you must be the property owner, the water service must be for your primary residence, you must pay the $100 inspection fee and you must come to our office and sign a General Utility Lien Agreement and pay a $10 recording fee.

Again, it is no longer required that you connect to the available public water, but you are encouraged to do so. If you have questions, please call our office at (843) 719-2637.