Greenville Water System: A Legacy of Quality & Foresight

Have you ever wondered what it takes to have not only the best-tasting water in the nation but also some of the lowest water bills? In this episode of Simple Civics, we go deep inside the remarkable Greenville Water system with Greenville Water Commissioner James Bannister. We uncover the century-old decisions and modern-day strategies that ensure Greenville has a secure and high-quality water supply for the next 100 years. This isn't just a story about pipes and reservoirs; it's a masterclass in foresight, environmental stewardship, and savvy financial planning.

From its early days sourcing water from Paris Mountain to the strategic development of the Table Rock and North Saluda Reservoirs, Greenville's water history is one of proactive leadership. James explains how these sources are part of a handful of Pristine watersheds South Carolina has, with old-growth forests that naturally filter the water. This incredible natural advantage, combined with a gravity-fed system that saves enormous energy costs, is the secret behind both the exceptional Greenville water quality and its affordability for 750,000 customers. We discuss how Greenville won the "Best of the Best" award for taste in the entire United States and the meticulous daily monitoring that maintains this standard. A key focus of our conversation is the Greenville Water 100-year plan, a strategic initiative to ensure water security for a century of growth. James shares a fascinating story of how this deep scientific analysis allowed them to delay a massive capital project, saving millions by securing better financing and taking advantage of federal infrastructure grants when the time was right. We also explore the constant work happening beneath our feet, detailing the Greenville water infrastructure projects, including an $81 million annual budget for replacing old pipes and building system redundancy. This forward-thinking approach extends to economic development, where the water commission can now precisely model the impact of a new large-scale industrial plant on the water supply, providing vital information to community leaders. Finally, James explains the Water commissioner duties and how the agency partners with other entities like the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on innovative projects, such as brook trout restoration in the Saluda River, made possible by re-engineering how water is released from the dams.

About Our Guest:
James W. Bannister is an elected Greenville Water Commissioner serving a six-year term. He shares the fascinating and personal story of how his interest in Greenville's water began in the fourth grade, when he learned it was the #1 most pristine water source in the world. That childhood moment sparked a lifelong passion that eventually led him to run for the commission, where he now helps guide the strategic future of the entire Greenville Water system.

Timestamps / Chapters:
(00:00) The Story of Greenville's Award-Winning Water
(00:52) From Beaver Fever to Pristine Watersheds: The History of Greenville Water
(02:57) The Secret to Low Bills and High-Quality Water
(04:31) How to Win the Award for "Best Tasting Water" in the USA
(06:27) Inside The Greenville Water 100-Year Plan for Survival
(12:43) Beneath the Streets: Upgrading Greenville's Aging Water Infrastructure
(14:46) How Water Supply Impacts Greenville's Economic Development
(16:59) A Marble Cake of Government: Partnerships with DNR & Duke Energy
(22:06) The Relationship Between Greenville Water and ReWa
(23:30) What is a Water Commissioner and How Are They Elected?
(24:42) A Lifelong Passion: A Commissioner's Personal Journey with Water

What did you learn about Greenville's water? Let us know your biggest takeaway in the comments below! Don't forget to like this video and subscribe to Simple Civics: Greenville County for more deep dives into how our community works.

#greenvillewater #greenvillesc #waterquality #infrastructure #sustainability #publicworks #environmentalconservation #cityplanning #simplecivics #greenvillecounty


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