PRWD study favorable for plant

The general manager for Pioneer Rural Water District pronounced an auditing firm’s report favorable for Pioneer to build its first treatment plant. Terry Pruitt yesterday addressed the water district’s board of directors and made reference to a stipulation imposed by legislation by State Representative Bill Sandifer, in the aftermath of controversies enveloping the retail supplier for parts of Oconee and Anderson counties. A treatment plant drawing water from Lake Hartwell would initially cost $12.8 million for 2.5 million gallons a day capacity. It’s projected that, by the year 2024, growth would require a $2 million expansion to double its capacity. The analysis by the firm of Byerly, Payne and White, however, shows that comparing costs of Pioneer continuing to buy water and the costs of making its own, the district and its customers can expect savings.