Town of Latta in violation of consent order pertaining to its water system

LATTA, S.C. (WPDE) — The Town of Latta is in violation of compliance of a consent order that was executed on Dec. 20, 2018 involving the town's water system, according to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).

DHEC notified the town by way of letter back in February of the violation.

The letter said the consent order pertained to the town submitting a "Corrective Action Plan addressing chronic effluent toxicity and ultimate oxygen demand."

It says the order also required the Town of Latta to pay to the department a civil penalty in the amount of $5,950.

The consent order came as a result of an inspection in June of 2018 of the town's water supply system.

DHEC says Latta's water system supplies 833 taps and consist of two groundwater wells and one treatment plant.

In June of 2018, the town's water system rating was "downgraded to unsatisfactory" due to the leak back then that developed on the 100,000 gallon Diversified Plastics tank and lack of progress in correcting items from previous inspections.

DHEC says the town's water system still has an unsatisfactory rating.

DHEC Director Of Media Relations Tommy Crosby sent the following statement on the matter:

The Town of Latta has not met the deadline requirements for repairs articulated in Consent Order 18-026-DW and therefore continues to have an Unsatisfactory rating. However, DHEC and the Town continue to stay in communication as the municipality makes steady progress in correcting the deficiencies. Our goal is to continue to work with Latta to bring them back into compliance.

Latta Town Council voted 6-0 two weeks ago to enter into contract negotiations with Grand Strand Water and Sewer to operate, maintain and consult with the town in regards to the water/sewer system, according to Latta Interim Town Administrator Jarrett Taylor.

Taylor said final approval is pending a review of the contract.

He added if council agrees to move forward with it, Grand Strand Water and Sewer will operate the town’s water and sewer system for three years for a set fee beginning July 1.

Taylor said the town would still be responsible for billing.

He added right now, they’re not looking to increase rates, but Grand Strand Water and Sewer will do a cost assessment analysis to determine if Latta’s rates are comparable to towns of its same size.

Under the contract, Taylor said, Latta would still be responsible for taxes, insurance and upgrades to water tanks. The town would also have to make any major repairs to the system, if needed.

Grand Strand Water and Sewer’s responsibilities include daily checks to water wells and the wastewater treatment plant in addition to water quality reports and water and sewer site maintenance.

Taylor said when a contract is written and reviewed, council will vote once again.

Many people in the town of Latta have complained about the water system for the past five years. They say often times the water is discolored and it smells bad.

Some neighbors even complain about constant water leaks in the small town.

The town has issued a quite a few boil water advisories in recent years due to water main breaks or other problems with the system.

Taylor said in January 2017 the town's water and sewer systems are old and have had problems for nearly 20 years.

He said the town would be working on a multi-phase project that will upgrade the sewer and water systems.

Some residents are hoping the partnership with Grand Strand Water and Sewer goes through. They said they just want to be able to have a better and improved water system in the town.

Come back here for updates on Latta's water situation.