Major sewage upgrade for Union Bleachery Mill Village

$4 million infrastructure improvements headed for historic Union Bleachery Mill Village

A $4 million federal grant will improve the sewage systems in Greenville County neighborhoods near the former Union Bleachery Mill Village.

MetroConnects will oversee the project to replace 5,000 linear feet of sewer lines and many manholes.

In an area referred to as Sans Souci and Cherrydale, the Metropolitan Sewer Subdistrict (MetroConnects) announced the grant on May 5.

The funds were obtained by the state and tribal assistance grant and approved by the Senate appropriations committee, on which South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham is a member.

At least 8 markers are within walking distance of this marker: Judson (a few steps from this marker); Woodside (a few steps from this marker); Dunean (within shouting distance of this marker); Camperdown (within shouting distance of this.

"The Union Bleachery area is an important part of our Greenville community," said Michael Stansell, senior project manager at MetroConnects. "We're excited to get to work rehabilitating and replacing these sewer lines to ensure the area's wastewater infrastructure continues to serve them for years to come," Stansell added.

MetroConnects is also revitalizing underground infrastructure projects at former Greenville County mill sites, including Dunean Mill Village, Mills Mill Village, and Judson Mill Village.

Now, the more than 200-acre property is subject to a major upgrade expected to revitalize an area that has sat dormant for years.

"This money is going to improve the wastewater collection system in this neighborhood," said Caleb Freeman commissioner of MetroConnects. "This redevelopment is for the future, and there is much more work to do in that regard, but we can't do that until we get the utilities fixed on the front end."

The newly installed pipeline will replace around 8.600 linear feet of clay pipes and 120 manholes that have been in the ground since 1906, according to Freeman.

This initiative will address the longstanding wastewater infrastructure and sewer capacity issues in Greenville County by eliminating health threats and environmental hazards from wastewater leaks and manhole overflows.

The improvements will also remove excess rainwater from the wastewater system, keeping rates affordable and providing sustainable infrastructure for the county's future.