Water Supply
The Board's Water Division proudly serves approximately 13,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers throughout Cherokee County. Our reliable water supply begins at a raw water pump station on the Broad River, which pumps water to our primary source, Lake Whelchel, or directly to the Victor Gaffney and Cherokee Water Treatment Plants. This diversified system helps ensure a dependable water supply for our community well into the next century.
The Board's water treatment facilities have a combined capacity of 18 million gallons per day, providing ample capacity to meet both current and future demands. Our distribution system includes more than 380 miles of water mains, five elevated storage tanks—including the community's iconic Peachoid water tower—and 2 million gallons of ground-level water storage.
Together, this infrastructure allows us to deliver safe, reliable drinking water while supporting continued residential, commercial, and industrial growth across our service area.
Waste Water
The Board's Wastewater Division provides reliable sanitary sewer service to approximately 9,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers throughout Gaffney, Blacksburg, and surrounding areas. The Board operates three wastewater treatment facilities to safely collect, treat, and return wastewater to the environment in compliance with all state and federal regulations.
The Clary Wastewater Treatment Plant has a treatment capacity of 3.6 million gallons per day, the Broad River Wastewater Treatment Plant has a treatment capacity of 4.0 million gallons per day, and the Canoe Creek Lagoon in Blacksburg has a treatment capacity of 800,000 gallons per day. Together, these facilities provide the capacity needed to support our growing communities while protecting public health and the environment.
BPW also owns and maintains more than 130 miles of sanitary sewer lines, ensuring dependable wastewater collection throughout its service area. During the last fiscal year, BPW successfully treated more than 1.05 billion gallons of wastewater, reflecting the scale of our operations and our ongoing commitment to providing safe, reliable wastewater service to the customers and communities we serve.
Electricity
The Board's Electric Division provides safe, reliable electric service to approximately 8,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers through a distribution system consisting of more than 150 miles of power lines. Wholesale power is supplied by the Piedmont Municipal Power Agency (PMPA) through three delivery points, one of which is owned and operated by BPW.
PMPA is a joint action agency made up of 10 Upstate South Carolina municipal electric utilities. Through PMPA, BPW has a long-term, diversified power supply that includes ownership in 25% of Unit 2 at the Catawba Nuclear Station, helping provide dependable, affordable electricity for our customers. Our Electric Division is committed to responsive customer service, with most routine service requests completed the same day or the next business day.
In addition to providing electric service, BPW offers lighting solutions for commercial, industrial, and public customers. We design, install, finance, maintain, and power lighting systems for a convenient monthly fee, allowing businesses to improve safety, security, and visibility without the upfront capital investment.
Recreation
As part of its commitment to enhancing the quality of life in Cherokee County, BPW provides several recreational amenities for residents and visitors to enjoy. These include Lake Whelchel, which features a public boat landing, Roger Harris Picnic Facilities, and the Lake Whelchel Walking Trail, offering a scenic place for walking, running, cycling, and enjoying the outdoors.
BPW also operates a rifle and pistol range for public use. For more information about these facilities, click the button below or call (864) 488-8800.
Recreation Facilities
