News 12, January 29, 2010, First at 5,

GRANITEVILLE, S.C.--The people in the Graniteville-Vaucluse area are one step closer to solving their water woes. The Valley Public Service Authority has an agreement to take control of the old Avondale mills system.

Ronnie Bryant has been watching his water since rates spiked back in June. He's glad some changes are on the way.

"I think it's a good step in the right direction," says Bryant.

By the end of February, Valley Public Service Authority plans to be running the 80-year-old system that's plagued with problems.

"We're going to replace the whole system, but just patch it, we're going to replace the whole system. These folks are going to get good water, good fire protection with a new water system available," says Otis Gibson, Valley Public Service Authority Chairman.

Thanks to grants and stimulus funds, the work will be done in phases, and may take up to three years.

"No it's not going to be overnight, we're going to have to be patient and allow them to do their work," says Bryant.

"We don't have a fortune teller to tell us when the rates are gonna come down, but we're assuring people in Graniteville as soon as we can we'll lower their rates," adds Gibson.

For Ronnie, this summer will be the first in many years he won't be wasting water on his yard.

"I'm not looking forward to this summer because my wife can attest to the fact that I was pretty religious about keeping up my yard. At those kind of rates, you certainly don't want to waste your money," says Bryant.

Valley Public does call the move risky, they say every month the system is losing millions of gallons of water to leaks.

While it may be a gamble, they hope it's a gamble that one day pays off for its customers.

"We hope that as soon as we can get those water lines in people will be way better off there than they are now," says Gibson.

"It's going to be a great improvement for the future," says Bryant.

They're still a few years and a lot of work away from lower rates and a new system, but for many it's nice to see light at the end of the tunnel.

There is a time line for the take over. Monday, February 1st, Valley Public is set to sign the documents and make it official. They will have until February 5th to change their minds. They plan to be in charge on February 15th.

Valley Public says they don't believe the system will ever be a big money maker for them. They estimate they will lose at least $5,000 a month off it, but they say it's the right thing to do.