Charleston Water System, formally known as the Commissioners of Public Works, is an independent utility governed by an elected Board of Commissioners.
Our 430 associates protect public health and the environment of our community by providing high quality, reliable water and sewer services.
CWS also provides wastewater service (not stormwater) through 700 miles of collection mains, 187 pump stations, and eight miles of deep tunnels that carry wastewater to our treatment plant. The Plum Island Wastewater Treatment Plant treats an average of 19 million gallons a day and releases clean water into the Charleston Harbor.
CWS is committed to preventing pollution and improving the environment. We have implemented an environmental management system (EMS) and are certified under ISO 14001, the international standard for environmental management.
| Water Service |
| Treatment plant |
|
Hanahan Water Treatment Plant |
| Permitted capacity |
|
118 million gallons/day (mgd) |
| Average/max daily flow |
|
Average: 58 mgd
Max: 78 mgd |
| Population served |
|
Approximately 400,000 people |
| Type of service |
|
Retail and wholesale |
| Retail accounts |
|
108,000 |
| Retail service area |
|
Charleston, North Charleston, Hanahan, James Island, Daniel Island, Cainhoy, Thomas Island, West Ashley, Hollywood, Ravenel, Meggett
see map |
| Wholesale service area |
|
St. Johns Water Company (serves Kiawah and Seabrook Islands), Mt. Pleasant Waterworks, Dorchester County Public Works, Town of Folly Beach, Town of Sullivan's Island, Isle of Palms Water & Sewer Commission, and Joint Base Charleston.
see map |
| Miles of water mains |
|
1,750 |
| Number of fire hydrants |
|
8,875 |
| Sewer Service |
| Treatment plant |
|
Plum Island Treatment Plant
(Daniel Island Treatment Plant—pre-treatment only) |
| Permitted capacity |
|
Plum Island: 36 mgd |
| Average daily flow |
|
Plum Island: 19 mgd
|
| Population served |
|
Approximately 180,000 people |
| Type of service |
|
Retail and wholesale |
| Retail accounts |
|
50,000 |
| Retail service area |
|
see map |
| Wholesale service area |
|
Folly Beach, Hollywood, Meggett, Ravenel, and the James Island Public Service District
see map |
| Miles of sewer mains |
|
540 miles of gravity sewer
115 miles of force main
138 mieles of service laterals
8 miles of deep sewer tunnels |
| Wastewater pump stations |
|
187 |
