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Citizens Academy
Utility operations are fascinating and very few people understand what it takes to bring safe, reliable, and affordable drinking water to their homes, or to safely handle wastewater and protect the environment. The Citizens Academy is designed to expand customer access to Charleston Water System through education and hands-on activities. Participants will become knowledgeable about key water issues, daily operational activities and challenges, and more through interaction with CWS executives, department leaders, and staff. The program begins in September and lasts for five consecutive weeks. Evening sessions include a full catered dinner and the food is excellent!
2024 Schedule
Tue., Sept. 10 Session 1: Program kickoff, where your water comes from (source water).
Dinner: 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. (arrive anytime in this window) | Session: 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
CWS Administration Building: 103 St. Philip St., Charleston, SC 29407
Tue., Sept. 17 Session 2: What’s in your water (lab services) and how it’s treated.
Dinner: 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. | Session: 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
CWS Administration Building: 103 St. Philip St., Charleston, SC 29407
Thur., Sept. 19 Plant Tour (and lab!)
Arrive: 8:45 a.m. | Tour: 9 a.m. - Noon
Hanahan Water Treatment Plant & Lab: 1104 Hanahan Rd, Hanahan, SC 29410
Tue., Sept. 24 Session 3: How water gets to your home (water distribution), fire hydrants, water meters, and backflow.
Dinner: 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. (arrive anytime in this window) | Session: 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
CWS Administration Building: 103 St. Philip St., Charleston, SC 29407
Tue., Sept. 17 Session 2: What’s in your water (lab services) and how it’s treated.
Dinner: 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. | Session: 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
CWS Administration Building: 103 St. Philip St., Charleston, SC 29407
Thur., Sept. 19 Plant Tour (and lab!)
Arrive: 8:45 a.m. | Tour: 9 a.m. - Noon
Hanahan Water Treatment Plant & Lab: 1104 Hanahan Rd, Hanahan, SC 29410
Tue., Sept. 24 Session 3: How water gets to your home (water distribution), fire hydrants, water meters, and backflow.
Dinner 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. | Session 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
CWS Administration Building: 103 St. Philip St., Charleston, SC 29407
Tue., Oct. 1 Session 4: Sewers are fascinating (wastewater collection) and wastewater treatment (Plum Island) is amazing!
CWS Administration Building: 103 St. Philip St., Charleston, SC 29407
Tue., Oct. 1 Session 4: Sewers are fascinating (wastewater collection) and wastewater treatment (Plum Island) is amazing!
Dinner 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. | Session 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
CWS Administration Building: 103 St. Philip St., Charleston, SC 29407
Fri., Oct. 4 Plant Tour
Arrive: 8:45 a.m. | Tour: 9 a.m. - Noon
Plum Island Wastewater Treatment Plant: 539 Harbor View Circle, Charleston, SC 29412
Tue., Oct. 8 Session 7: Customers are #1, asset management, competitive knowledge game, graduation!
Dinner 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. | Session 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
CWS Administration Building: 103 St. Philip St., Charleston, SC 29407
2024 Citizens Academy
*Applications open August 9 - 30, 2024.
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