Greenville Business Magazine 2009 September Issue : Page 20
››special business report Engineering Growth for Environmental Health BY BRANDY WOODS SNOW A ccording to a 2008 report from Clemson University’s Strom Thurmond Institute (STI) projecting growth in the Upstate to 2030, the “growth ratio” determined for the region is 5:1. In layman’s terms, the rate of land development is five times the population growth rate. At this ratio, more than 1.5 million acres are expected to be developed by 2030. One can only wonder what envi- ronmental impact will be felt by this extensive growth. And with the ever- expanding green movement setting forth more stringent requirements, is Green- ville prepared to handle these needs? This was the question on everyone’s minds when Renewable Water Resources’ (ReWa) Upstate Roundtable reconvened in early 2008 with the goal of aligning regional wastewater infrastructure with the Upstate’s projected growth, while promoting environmental sustainability. Throughout such growth periods, environmental preservation is of utmost concern, as unplanned development combined with inadequate infrastructure can quickly lead to the deterioration of air and water quality. South Carolina requires counties to perform comprehen- sive planning studies every ten years and when that time drew near, the Board of Commissioners from ReWa recognized the opportunity to advance its 20-year planning, inspiring proactive, mutually beneficial conversation with community, business, governmental and technical experts from across the region. “With more than 60 groups repre- sented, the Upstate Roundtable pulled together a cross-section of community expertise to create a roadmap for smart growth and planning,” says Ray Orvin, ReWa’s executive director. “The forum operated under a nine member board with five committees, each co-chaired by one board member and one community leader. It was vital that community input was at the highest level possible.” The volunteer collaboration focused on contriving the most efficient and SEPTEMBER 2009 | GREENVILLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE 17
>>special business report - Engineering Growth for Environmental Health
Brandy Woods Snow
According to a 2008 report from Clemson University’s Strom Thurmond Institute (STI) projecting growth in the Upstate to 2030, the “growth ratio” determined for the region is 5:1. In layman’s terms, the rate of land development is five times the population growth rate. At this ratio, more than 1.5 million acres are expected to be developed by 2030.
One can only wonder what environmental impact will be felt by this extensive growth. And with the ever-expanding green movement setting forth more stringent requirements, is Greenville prepared to handle these needs? This was the question on everyone’s minds when Renewable Water Resources’ (ReWa) Upstate Roundtable reconvened in early 2008 with the goal of aligning regional wastewater infrastructure with the Upstate’s projected growth, while promoting environmental sustainability.
Throughout such growth periods, environmental preservation is of utmost concern, as unplanned development combined with inadequate infrastructure can quickly lead to the deterioration of air and water quality. South Carolina requires counties to perform comprehensive planning studies every ten years and when that time drew near, the Board of Commissioners from ReWa recognized the opportunity to advance its 20-year planning, inspiring proactive, mutually beneficial conversation with community, business, governmental and technical experts from across the region.
“With more than 60 groups represented, the Upstate Roundtable pulled together a cross-section of community expertise to create a roadmap for smart growth and planning,” says Ray Orvin, ReWa’s executive director. “The forum operated under a nine member board with five committees, each co-chaired by one board member and one community leader. It was vital that community input was at the highest level possible.”
The volunteer collaboration focused on contriving the most efficient and environmentally-sound plans for regional growth in the Saluda, Reedy and Enoree river basins. The initiative focused on these major concepts:
››Capacity – determining where and when wastewater collection and treatment facilities are needed
››Products – focusing on the potential results and community value for treating wastewater
››Sustainability – examining minimization of resource consumption while providing services in order to be good community stewards
››Funding – determining potential financial resources
Upstate professionals experienced in growth and development identified significant growth factors and recent development trends to assess where and when growth would occur during the 20-year period, helping to determine future facilities and infrastructure needs. The development of infill areas took priority as a most effective and cost-efficient option.
The Upstate Roundtable plan included more than 70 recommendations, presented within 14 policy changes, as a guide for smart growth and development. Provisions include upgrading technology to increase water quality standards, developing reuse programs with renewed water, methane gas and biosolids, working with county councils to implement sustainability programs, developing guidelines of purchasing “green” products, implementing energy reduction programs for ReWa facilities, and encouraging industries to reuse clean water, among others.
George Fletcher, ReWa Commissioner and Chair of the Upstate Roundtable, says “In 1994, there wasn’t enough waste treatment capacity for growth. Under Jane Mattson’s leadership, the Upstate Roundtable provided a road map for increasing capacity. We have implemented that plan. This new plan needed to be more flexible and to address a wider range of issues. We had to consider reuse of wastewater, financing for infiltration/ inflow and tighter water quality standards. Fortunately, we will not have to address major capacity issues for at least 10 years. This will give City and County Councils the opportunity to determine what the 5:1 growth ratio will cost and if that is in fact what they want.”
Environmental compliance amidst economic growth is common theme championed by many Upstate groups. Barry Stone, an environmental engineering specialist with 3M, sat on the Technical Committee of the Upstate Roundtable and is also the Chair for the Chamber’s Environmental Issues Committee (EIC).
“The EIC consists of environmental specialists and enthusiasts, including engineers, lawyers and manufacturers, desiring to stay abreast of our current environmental status and new regulations,” says Stone. The group’s main focus centers on air quality, greenhouse gas and emissions, and water quality. Sunnie Harmon, the Chamber’s government relations director, says, “The EIC’s goal is to evolve from being totally reactive to acting more proactively, eventually drafting environmental legislation and walking it through the entire governmental process.”
No matter the organization, the hot-button issue remains the same – effectively manage growth with environmental responsibility. Orvin says it best, “We must constantly be looking toward the future, dedicated to serving our community and maintaining the quality of life for future generations.”
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