New Sewer Construction in Fountain Inn

MetroConnects’ Payne Branch West Sewer Extension project in Fountain Inn is set to begin soon! Residents in areas near Fairview Road and Highway 418 will benefit from 10,500 linear feet of new 16-inch PVC/DIP sewer pipe. This will include 4,000 linear feet in wetland areas, 45 new manholes, and two separate jack and bores under South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) roads. MetroConnects is partnering with the engineering firm Thomas & Hutton on the project, which should break ground by the end of August. The anticipated completion date is in the Fall 2025. The project will serve the overall sewer basin and the new Fairview Terrace Townes development.

Project Prep With Drone Technology

Last year, seven MetroConnects’ Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Operation and Maintenance (O&M) specialists received their  Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 107 pilot’s license, authorizing them to operate MetroConnects’ two drones, technically called “Unmanned Aircraft Systems” (UAS). The drones provide high-resolution photography and videos, including thermal images that can identify problem areas with low visibility. In the Payne Branch area, the drones can be used for aerial inspection, helping with the design phase of the project. The drones are also used to inspect Right-of-Way (ROW) easements and sewer infrastructure that is difficult to access such as sewer mains, manholes, pump stations, and other critical systems.