Johns Island waterline foes add to petition

This time, no one waved signs at motorists passing along Maybank Highway, urging them to fight a massive new waterline across Johns Island. Instead, Sam Brownlee walked alone into the offices of the St. John's Water Co. and delivered the last of some 425 signatures on a petition he hopes eventually will lead to reducing the volume of the proposed line by one-third.  His low-key act belied the growing drama over the 30-inch diameter line, which the water company and its supporters say is needed to ensure that this sea island always has enough water for drinking, firefighting and irrigation.  Opponents such as Brownlee say they believe the line is larger than needed and would fuel suburban growth across large swaths of Johns and Wadmalaw islands that most want to remain rural. Some foes of the bigger line would support a 24-inch diameter line.  The petition calls for the utility to hold a special meeting so its members -- those 3,800 residents who have a water account -- can vote on whether St. John's should proceed with plans for the 30-inch line.  Water Co. Chairman Guy Buckner said he will call such a meeting within 45 days, once enough signatures are verified.  In March, opponents waved signs and rallied outside the water company's offices as they turned in more than 520 signatures. Weeks later, the utility disallowed 192 of the signatures, leaving organizers 54 short of the necessary number to require the utility to hold its meeting. "We'll see what happens this time," Brownlee said. "I'll keep on working until something happens."  He isn't alone.  Charleston Commissioners of Public Works General Manager William Koopman recently wrote Buckner to urge the utility to reconsider a 24-inch line for several reasons, including:   -- It could take three years to resolve court cases filed on the 30-inch line.  -- Any delay would drive up construction costs and could jeopardize federal dollars, which are expected to pay for $7 million of the $10 million project.   -- Unwilling to wait for a resolution, developers and homeowners are installing wells. If that trend continues, a 30-inch line might never be needed.  -- Developers whose projects are delayed because of a lack of water could sue, forcing the utility to spend more money in court.   -- A 30-inch line might be so big that water would sit too long in the pipe, degrading its quality.  "All we are saying is let's sit down at the table and see if there 's anything we can work out," Koopman said, adding that CPW could help later with tanks or booster pumps should St. John's ever need more water than a new 24-inch line could carry.   While the utilities haven't ruled out a compromise, nothing appears imminent. Buckner said his board isn't expected to discuss CPW's offer when it meets this week.   "We don't need any help in running the water company. All we need is for the court to make a decision," Buckner said. "We've waited this long. Why not wait a wee bit longer?"  Contractor Chuck Bennett said there 's a good reason not to wait any longer: The lack of a new waterline has forced St. John's to refuse new service to several developments where hundreds of people are earning a living.  Bennett has crews working on the Villages in St. John's Woods, and he said they will have to find work elsewhere because the utility doesn't serve it. Bennett recently pleaded his case with Charleston Mayor Joe Riley because the subdivision is in the city limits but served by St. John's, not CPW.  Riley urged St. John's and CPW to continue talking. "There is also a real economic issue here," he said. "There are homebuilders and their employees whose jobs are at stake."

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