Polk County has budgeted $150,000 to run a water line extension to Green River Baptist Church but heard this week the extension could cost significantly less.

Commissioners also decided to extend discounted tap on fees of $700 along the water line as well as the Sunny View water line extension until the end of both projects.

The Polk County Board of Commissioners met Monday, June 1 and heard from Inman-Campobello Water District (ICWD) General Manager Jeff Walker.

Walker said in January commissioners approved spending $150,000 on the Green River church water line extension, but material costs are only coming in at approximately $93,000.

This is the first project ICWD has completely handled for Polk County, including engineering, design and construction of the water line. Polk County’s agreement with ICWD is to only pay for materials. ICWD administers Polk County’s water, including maintenance of water lines and billing.

Walker said ICWD originally estimated $112,000 on materials and recommended Polk County budget $125,000 just to be safe. He said ICWD got the project designed and sent for permits and took proposals from three different vendors for materials with the highest bid coming in at $98,000.

Walker said the materials have been ordered and are arriving. Last week ICWD moved equipment, made the connection to the existing line and have already installed approximately 400 ft. of water line.

Walker said he wouldn’t be scared to estimate the water line extension to be complete in six to eight weeks.

There could be some other costs during the construction, such as boring a driveway or some fittings, as well as tax on the materials, but Walker said he doesn’t expect the extra costs to be another $5,000 for the job.

“It’s the first one we’ve done this way in the county,” Walker said. “We’ve never designed one and handled it all the way.”

Commissioner chair Tom Pack said there have been requests from nearby residents to receive the county water service.

County manager Marche Pittman said the county has received requests from residents near Chesnee Hwy. to tap onto the line, but he doesn’t think the project will get to them.

Pack suggested with the extra money to see how far ICWD can go with the line in hopes of connected those who requested the service.

Walker said ICWD would be glad to look at extending the service further.

Polk County agreed by a 4-1 vote in January to extend a water line to Green River Baptist Church and spend up to $150,000 from the county’s fund balance. Commissioner Ray Gasperson voted against the extension. Some county residents expressed concern over the county paying for the extension because other extensions required those who requested extensions to pay 40 percent of the costs.

The project plans to include a 16-inch water line off the Poors Ford Road’s 20-inch water line and an 8-inch line down Green River Church Road. The total length of the extension is 2,140 linear feet along Poors ford Road, and 3,120 linear feet along Green River Church Road. The extension will also include three fire hydrants.