The city of Newberry announced on Tuesday an interlocal agreement with the city of Archer to construct a new $50 million regional wastewater treatment facility.
Archer, challenged by high costs and complex retrofitting needs, has pursued a feasible wastewater system for decades. Meanwhile, Newberry, which first constructed its wastewater plant in the 1970s, is facing complex new treatment requirements from the state and continual growth, necessitating a new wastewater treatment plant to be built by 2026.
Newberry Mayor Jordan Marlowe expressed enthusiasm for the partnership.
“This agreement showcases the strength of collaboration among small towns. When we unite our efforts, we can absolutely achieve great things,” he said in a news release announcing the agreement. “Not only are we building a system that will serve our communities today, but we’re also laying the foundation for environmental and economic sustainability for future generations. It’s a testament to what communities can accomplish when they work together towards common goals.”