Overview
GCWandSD Pawleys Area serves approximately 41,000 people in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act, discharging treated wastewater into local waterways.
GCWandSD Pawleys Area is a wastewater treatment plant located in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, serving a population of about 41,193. The facility is part of the Georgetown County Water and Sewer District's infrastructure, managing municipal wastewater for the coastal community. As a US-based plant serving a medium-sized agglomeration, it operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. These permits set effluent limits to protect water quality. The plant has a designed capacity of 1.00 million gallons per day, indicating it is sized for the local population. The treated effluent is discharged into nearby waterways that drain into the Atlantic Ocean. The plant's location near the coast means its discharge can affect sensitive estuarine and marine ecosystems. Proper treatment helps protect the water quality of the Waccamaw River and the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, which support diverse aquatic life and recreational activities.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Waccamaw River basin, which flows into Winyah Bay and then the Atlantic Ocean. This estuarine environment supports diverse aquatic life, including fish, shellfish, and migratory birds. The proximity to the coast means that nutrient loads from wastewater can contribute to eutrophication in sensitive coastal waters, making effective treatment crucial for ecosystem health.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located at 426 Tidewater Circle in the Willbrook Plantation area of Pawleys Island, South Carolina, within Georgetown County.
The plant serves approximately 41,193 people in the Pawleys Island area and surrounding communities.
The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that drain into the Waccamaw River and ultimately the Atlantic Ocean, following NPDES permit requirements.
As a US plant, it operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated by an NPDES permit issued by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Plants of this size typically provide secondary treatment as a minimum, with possible nutrient removal to meet water quality standards in sensitive coastal areas.
Nearby plants