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Our offices will be closed on Thursday, November 25, 2021, in observance of Thanksgiving Day. Thursday’s trash collection will occur on Wednesday, November 24th. If you have a wastewater emergency, please call 843.795.2345.

Monday, November 8, 2021 @ 6:30 pm – Special Meeting & Administrative Committee
Monday, November 22, 2021 @ 7 pm – Public Hearing & Regular
Monday, December 13, 2021 @ 7 pm – Regular

NEW TEMPORARY MEETING LOCATION:

James Island Town Hall
1122 Dills Bluff Road
James Island, SC 29412

The above meetings are open to the public; however, we will be practicing social distancing to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19. Citizens may continue to submit written public comments via email to jipsdinfo@jipsd.org or by mail to JIPSD Commission, PO Box 12140, Charleston, SC 29422-2140. Comments will be distributed to the Commission.

 

The James Island Public Service District’s mission is to minimize rate increases while continuing to maximize high quality, environmentally safe wastewater services.  However, increased operating costs and capital projects, involving the repairs and replacements of an aging infrastructure as well as increased wastewater treatment costs, have caused the District to review the current wastewater rates to meet the needs of the system moving forward.  Some major projects, both underway and in the next five years, are needed to replace failing infrastructure while others have been initiated by new debt service obligations and increased energy, labor cost, fuel, and chemical costs.

On May 24, 2021, the District’s Commission voted to adjust the current wastewater rates and rate structure of the District.  The change in rate structure may result in a slightly higher bill for some residents.

 

 

 

 

***There will no longer be a residential cap on wastewater bills – previously 16 ccfs***

There were two meetings and a public hearing held to discuss the rate increases.  The Commission approved these rates on May 24, 2021 and the rates will be reflected in the July 2021 bill.  We know this will be an uncomfortable and unpopular adjustment, but it is critical to update and maintain the District’s aging wastewater infrastructure.  The cost to operate and maintain our wastewater system continues to increase more each year, and the District must continue to evaluate the wastewater rate structure on an annual basis.

Best regards,

Dave Schaeffer
District Manager

UNUSUALLY HIGHER SEWER BILL CONSIDERATIONS

JIPSD bills for sewer after the water has been consumed so consider the following information and have a calendar handy to review your dates. Your bill includes important information to help you determine your usage and when it increased. Look for the following information: Gallons (ccfs) used and the number of days in this time frame.

THESE ITEMS CAN INCREASE YOUR WATER USAGE AND AFFECT YOUR BILL:

• Is your irrigation system tied into your residential line?
• Did you increase the amount of time you watered your lawn or garden?
• Have you filled a pool?
• Are your irrigation system timer settings too long or too often?
• Have you had any work done in the home or on your property?
• Have you had any work done on your irrigation system?
• Have you watered any new sod or landscaping?
• Have you had any visitors for a period of time?
• Have you power-washed the home or driveway?
• Have you replaced hot water heaters?
• Do you have an inflatable pool or hot tub?

Typically, if your readings return to more normal on your next bill it is likely that it was one of these reasons or another simple explanation that caused the increase and not a leak.

If you think it remains high, you may have a leak and should contact a plumber to investigate. Meters are imported monthly from Charleston Water System meter reads and neither can tell you the exact day and time that high usage occurs within any given cycle.