AWWA REUSE52068

The Grand Strand Water and Sewer Authority (GSWSA), located in Conway, South Carolina, provides water and wastewater services to one of the country's fastest growing coastal areas, the Grand Strand. The Grand Strand is a 60-mile stretch of coastal area spanning from the state's northeastern border to its historic Georgetown. Against a backdrop of steady growth, in 1971, GSWSA formed to provide water and wastewater services to the fast-growing, unincorporated areas of Horry and Georgetown Counties, which comprise a large portion of the Grand Strand. To meet steady population growth in its service area, GSWSA determined that there was a need to expand its J.L. Schwartz wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in the near future. The plant currently discharges approximately 8 million gallons per day of secondary effluent to the Waccamaw River. GSWSA began a process of identifying suitable alternatives to surface discharge of effluent from its J.L. Schwartz WWTP. A short rotation intensive culture hardwood tree plantation was selected as the best alternative and a small demonstration project was planted. This paper discusses the implementation of this project including site development challenges, and the public and private partnering relationship between GSWSA and a forest products company. The preliminary results from the first growing season are reported and an overview of the full-scale project is provided. Includes tables.