New Development Utility Requests
Getting Started with Utility Service
Welcome, and thank you for investing in Cherokee County. We are committed to making the utility service process as smooth and efficient as possible for builders, developers, engineers, and property owners.
This page will guide you through the steps required to obtain utility service from BPW. We encourage you to review the information below and contact us early in your project so we can help ensure a successful and timely connection process.
Utility Request Process
Review BPW Standards
Before submitting plans, please review BPW’s Standard Construction Specifications and Details referenced in the sections above.
Complete the Developer’s Application
For all new development projects, including commercial, industrial, and residential, applicants must complete BPW’s Developer’s Application for both preliminary and final plan review.
Developer’s ApplicationPreliminary Plan Review
Once the Developer’s Application has been submitted, BPW will review the information and provide comments within two weeks. After preliminary review is complete, BPW can issue a Willingness to Serve Letter and provide available utility maps upon request.
Final Plan Review
Final construction plans must address all preliminary review comments and must be submitted through the Developer’s Application Portal.
BPW will review the final construction plan submittal and either approve it or provide additional comments within two weeks. Once approved, BPW will issue a Utility Construction Approval Letter for inclusion with permitting documents, if needed. A copy of all approved permitting documents must also be provided to BPW.
Utility Installation
Once all required fees have been paid in full by the developer/owner, BPW will schedule a pre-construction meeting at the BPW office. For commercial and industrial projects, water and sewer connections will be made by BPW after all required fees have been paid. If a master water meter is required, 3 inch or larger, the developer/owner must purchase the meter from BPW.
Construction Inspection and Acceptance
All utility construction must be coordinated with BPW so that a BPW representative can be onsite during installation for inspection and operational approval.
Before final acceptance by BPW, all required testing must be completed and any punch list items identified by the BPW inspector must be addressed. Once the project receives final acceptance, an Own and Operate Letter will be issued for SCDES PTO submission. A copy of the final SCDES Approval to Place in Operation must also be provided to BPW.
Helpful Links
Connection Charges, Impact Fees, and DRP Fees
Commercial / Industrial
All water and sewer connection charges and impact fees are to be paid by the developer/owner once plans are approved by BPW.
Residential
Required impact fees and DRP fees must be paid by the developer/owner. All sewer impact fees must be paid before a sewer construction permit is issued by SCDES.
Water connection charges, water impact fees, and sewer connection charges may be paid by the builder at the time services are needed. Developers must complete a new service application before paying tap fees.