Water or Sewer Service

Service Areas

This map is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a warranty, guarantee, or representation of accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any particular purpose. Sewer and water availability or accessibility are not assured based on this map. For capacity and accessibility determinations, a formal Capacity Assurance Program request must be submitted.

Utilities Service Area Map

Before You Apply

Download and complete the application and agreement for the service you're requesting.

Then gather the following:

  • Your closing or lease document
  • A copy of your driver’s license
  • $30 Processing Fee
  • $4,000/REU (new connections only)

Documents for Water Service

Documents for Sewer Service

Email

Step 1.Complete the water or sewer documents.

Step 2.Email all documents.

Send an email to rcu_service@richlandcountysc.gov with your documents attached.

  • Remember to include a copy of your lease or closing document.
  • Remember to include a copy of your driver's license.

Step 3.Submit payment.

Online Water and Sewer Payments

Fax

Fax your completed documents to 803-401-0043.

Mail

Mail your documents to the office.

Richland County Utilities
7525 Broad River Road
Irmo, SC 29063

In Person

Bring your documents to the office.

7525 Broad River Road Irmo, SC 29063

Water Rates

  • The residential home water tap fee is $1,500.
  • Bills are calculated by usage based on the fee schedule below.

Monthly Water Consumption

Amount Fee
1st 1,000 gallons
Minimum base charge standard meter
$23.00
Next 8,000 gallons $5.65/1,000 gallons
Next 11,000 gallons $5.29/1,000 gallons
Next 10,000 gallons $4.98/1,000 gallons
Next 30,000 gallons $4.69/1,000 gallons
Next 60,000 gallons $4.69/1,000 gallons

Example: An average customer using approximately 3,500 gallons per month would have a monthly water bill of $45.13

[$23.00+(3,500 gals-1,000 gals)x$5.65/1,000 gals] + $8** = $45.13

  • This includes the fire hydrant fee of $8 per month.
  • Monthly Capacity charge for 2nd meter or larger on standby $40.00

Sewer Rates

Residential Equivalent Unit (REU) is based on 300 gallons per day and SCDES Contributory Loading Guidelines.

Fractions of an REU greater than .25 REU shall be considered as an additional REU.

  • The sewer tap fee is $4,000/REU.
  • Richland County Utilities' monthly sewer rates are flat rate. The current monthly rate is $77.91/REU.

How to Cancel Water or Sewer Service

The cancellation form requires your Tax Map Number.

  1. Visit the Richland County Online Property Lookup.
  2. Type in the address where you wish to cancel water and/or sewer service(s).
  3. The Tax Map Number is at the top of the listing and in the Key Information.

Complete the Utilities cancellation form(PDF, 251KB).

  • Fax the completed cancellation document to 803-401-0030.
  • Mail the completed cancellation document to 7525 Broad River Road Irmo, SC 29063.
  • Bring the completed cancellation document to the office in person to 7525 Broad River Road Irmo, SC 29063.
    Note: We are closed for lunch from noon to 1 p.m.

Report an Issue with Water or Sewer Service

If you are having a sewer/water issue, please call us at 803-401-0050 to report it. If you need to report an issue outside of office hours (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), please call our emergency on-call service number 803-904-5307.

  • Always call us before contacting a plumber!
  • We are not responsible for reimbursement if you hire a plumber for an issue that is on our end.

Understand Maintenance Responsibility

Sewer

Richland County Utilities: Responsible for all sanitary sewer main lines in the system, including those located in the right-of-way or in easements on private property. Richland County Utilities does not own or maintain any sanitary sewer service lines located on private property.

Gravity Sanitary Sewer System: The customer’s responsibility begins at the sanitary sewer service cleanout or stub-out, located at the property line. The customer is responsible for all sanitary sewer service lines running through the property and any plumbing inside the home.

Force Main Sanitary Sewer System: The customer’s responsibility begins at the sanitary sewer service gate valve, located at the property line. The customer is also responsible for the STEP/LETTS System, all sanitary sewer service lines throughout the property, and plumbing inside the home.

an illustration of maintenance responsibility where the home to a marked point is homeowner responsibility and beyond that point to the sewer system is county

The image is a plumbing/sewer line diagram showing the connection between a residential home and the municipal sewer system.

  • The house is connected to the sewer line through a 4-inch check valve and a 4-inch Elder-valve.
  • The sewer pipe used is 4-inch SDR-26 PVC, installed with a minimum 1% slope to ensure proper flow.
  • Cleanouts are placed along the line with a maximum spacing of 75 feet per cleanout for maintenance access.

The division of maintenance responsibility:

  • The section from the house up to a marked point is maintained by the homeowner.
  • The section beyond that point, leading into the municipal sewer system, is maintained by the Richland County Utilities.
  • An 8-inch cleanout is installed near the municipal connection for access.
  • The final connection is made at a municipal structure (possibly a manhole or interceptor) labeled with a wye connection.

This ensures proper waste flow, access for maintenance, and clear ownership of responsibilities.

an illustration of grinder pump sewer system showing owner responsibility from the service box to the home and County responsibility from the service box to the street

The image is an illustrated diagram explaining how a Grinder Pump Sewer System works and the division of maintenance responsibilities between the homeowner and the utility provider (Richland County).

Key features shown:

  • Toilet connection: Wastewater from the home flows through pipes into the grinder pump system.
  • Control panel alarm: Installed outside the house to alert if the pump is not working correctly.
  • Cleanout: Access point for maintenance, located before the grinder pump basin.

Grinder pump system:

  • Pump basin with cover: Underground chamber housing the grinder pump.
  • Grinder pump: Breaks down wastewater and solids into a slurry for pumping.
  • Level control floats: Detect water levels and activate the pump as needed.

Service box: Must remain free from obstruction for proper operation and maintenance.

Right of way: The diagram shows a dashed line dividing responsibilities:

  • Owner responsibility: From the house up to the edge of the property/right-of-way.
  • Richland County Utilities responsibility: From the right-of-way to the county sewer line.
  • Richland County line: The point where the system connects to the larger public sewer system.

The image emphasizes keeping the cleanout and service box clear of obstructions and shows a clear distinction of maintenance responsibilities.

Water

Richland County Utilities: Responsible for all water main lines in the system, including those located in the right-of-way or in easements on private property. Richland County Utilities does not own or maintain any water service lines on private property.

Customer’s Responsibility: begins at the connection to the water meter, on the property owner’s side, and extends throughout the property, including all buried water service lines and plumbing inside the home.