The Greenville County Council voted on a second reading of the highly debated sewer consolidation plan.
The vote was 8-3 in favor, with one councilor absent, to continue forward with plans to consolidate many the county’s sewer systems into one entity, Metropolitan Sewer District.
A major point of contention from many who appose the plan is that it would likely damage or even eliminate roughly six sewer special purpose districts that have been around for decades.
While County Council calls the move a ‘unification’, the Post and Courier reported that some of the sewer districts being affected by the plan are calling it a “power grab” or “hostile takeover”.
The commissioners and apposed council members reciprocated these concerns and added that many customers would be negatively affected by the consolidation
However, MetroConnects general manager Carol Elliott ensured that rates would remain the same for customers after the transition until an estimated three percent annual increase beginning in 2023.
The sewer consolidation plan was originally introduced on election night and has one final third reading at the next county council meeting before it will be voted into action.
