Pickens Exits PJRWS

The City of Pickens announced that the City Council voted Monday night to withdraw from the Pickens Joint Regional Water System (PJRWS) to enhance the city’s water infrastructure and resources, allowing greater flexibility and control over local water management. Mayor Isaiah Scipio emphasized that the decision, based on extensive study, aims to ensure a reliable and sustainable water supply more quickly than the three to five years required to build a new plant within the regional system. The city has begun replacing its oldest pipes and plans to source water directly from Lake Keowee, replacing the City Lake reservoir. City Administrator Tim O’Briant acknowledged the past collaboration with PJRWS but cited the regional system’s slow and costly nature compared to other options. He assured that the transition would not immediately impact water services and promised regular updates.