Remnants of Greenville County’s historic textile mills can be found both above and underground.
Century-old sewer infrastructure is buried underneath many of these areas including the Dunean Mill Village located southwest of downtown Greenville. Most of Dunean’s outdated sewer system – which is still used today – was installed when the mill opened in 1912, according to Metropolitan Sewer Subdistrict or MetroConnects.
MetroConnects plans to replace approximately two and a half miles of degrading sewer infrastructure in Dunean Mill Village. The $14 million project will begin this fall and be completed over the next 18 to 24 months. A ribbon cutting celebrating the project was held Sept. 17.
Construction will consist of relocating and replacing sewer lines and manholes in the area. It will be completed in two phases with phase one covering the area from Anderson Road to Maria Drive and Emergy Street to Hale Street.
“The renewal of the wastewater collection system in the Dunean Mill Village area will improve water quality in our streams and rivers, our environment and protect public health,” said Carol Elliott, general manager of MetroConnects. “It also will ensure continued service for the future and for the homes and businesses we serve.”
South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority awarded a $10 million S.C. Infrastructure Improvement Investment Program grant to MetroConnects for the project. MetroConnects will provide an additional $1.5 million as a required match for the SCIPP grant.
“By investing in our local communities, we help to ensure their continued viability for years to come,” said Bonnie Ammons, executive director of the South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority.
An additional $1.5 million was allocated to the project from Greenville County’s American Recovery Plan Act funding. The remaining project funding will be provided by MetroConnects.
The Dunean Mill Village project is part of MetroConnect’s Clean Water Forward initiative. The program focuses on replacing old wastewater infrastructure and fixing sewer capacity issues in eight mill villages across Greenville County.
MetroConnects began sewer infrastructure replacement work in Mills Mill Village in April 2024. The sewer systems in Union Bleachery Mill Village and Judson Mill Village are also planned to be replaced.
For more information visit, https://cleanwaterforward.org/