Since the conception of our Purrysburg plant in the 1990s, Jasper County’s population has increased 35 percent and Beaufort County’s 30 percent. That growth shows no signs of slowing. The treatment plant was built with the future of our growing Lowcountry in mind. When the plant opened in 2006, it served to augment the Chelsea Water Treatment Plant, boasting a design that could be expanded twice – each time adding an additional 15 MGD. This project will double the capacity of 15 million gallons per day (MGD) to 30. The project will supply future needs and help stabilize pressure for current customers especially during periods of high usages. This stabilization will also help mitigate the occurrence of discoloration caused by water pressure changes and flow reversals which can disturb mineral sediment in water mains. The project remains on schedule to begin treating and delivering water to customers in 2025. Updated November 26, 2025
Crews are testing a 15 MGD high-service pump that will push treated water into the water distribution system. The pump, which can deliver more than 10,500 gallons per minute, is discharging to an on-site detention basin to avoid hydraulic disturbances that could lead to discoloration.
Once testing is completed, the pump will allow BJWSA to take full advantage of the full capacity of the plant's recent expansion.
Updated Oct. 3, 2025
Local officials celebrated the completion of the project with a valve-turning ceremony at the plant.
This important project will deliver an additional 15 million gallons per day to customers south of the Broad River. This extra capacity will relieve system strain across the entire 750 square-mile BJWSA service area.
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