“Superior source of water to our community”–Whitmire

The state regards Lake Keowee as a body of excellent water. And it is from that body of water that Walhalla will draw its future supply. Vehicle after vehicle made the turn off Melton Road today for the groundbreaking for a four million gallon a day treatment plant. Harper Corporation’s Bryan Royal says his company is looking to the fall of 2020 when the city will be able to switch its supply from Coneross Creek to Lake Keowee. And Scott Parris, city utilities superintendent, says Walhalla’s customers should notice the improvement. The Walhalla representative to County Council, Wayne McCall, made note of the importance of water for a city to grow. Walhalla’s current water service area encompasses 66 square miles and counts seven thousand customers. McCall was one of a number of speakers who remember that when Lake Keowee was being built in the 1960s the city first showed intentions that, someday, it would tap lake water for its future supply. That day is now not far off, and it fell to Mayor Danny Edwards to recognize and thank the many public officials who worked on the project. State Senator Thomas Alexander called it a partnership and predicted that in 50 to 100 years, future generations will commend those who set the plan in motion. Alexander’s legislative colleague, Rep. Bill Whitmire, a former Walhalla mayor, said the city’s history in providing piped water dates back to 1895.