THE COMMISSIONER FOR THE FUTURE

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COMMISSIONER CLAY

Clay Duffie is committed to making decisions that support the future of clean water in and around the Town of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

His experience and expertise enable him to help shape MPW’s vision, policies, budgets, and Strategic Plans, along with the current commissioners and MPW staff of professionals.

THE BEST COMMISSIONER FOR THE JOB

The key role of an elected Waterworks Commission is to develop a vision of what the water utility ultimately becomes. That vision ensures that the Annual Business Plan, supported by the Capital Improvements Plan, is targeted to meet the needs of the customers today and for the future. Clay’s years of experience and knowledge will benefit the Commission and its customers. His expertise provides firsthand knowledge of all aspects of water and sewer utility development and operations.

FUTURE CHALLENGES

Future challenges include the sustainability of groundwater resources to meet the customers’ growing demand, eliminating polluting septic tanks, maintenance of the existing utility systems, ever increasing regulatory requirements, biosolid disposal, all while keeping water bills affordable.

Mount Pleasant Waterworks depends on groundwater resources for its drinking water supply. With competing interests for this resource, the Commission must be vigilant with the regulators and the Trident Area Groundwater Management Plan. As a Commissioner, Clay will offer his expertise in groundwater flow models and studies, the regional aquifer systems, and the permitting process for groundwater withdrawals. Clay initiated the Water Reuse Committee for South Carolina which promotes the use of reclaimed water resources. Clay also supports conservation methods to reduce stress on the water system, especially in times of drought.

CLAY KNOWS THE WATERWAYS

Clay is familiar with the local waterways and water quality. Being an avid fisherman and Charter Captain, Clay has spent years on the water in and around Mount Pleasant. Clay understands the effects of pollution on our local watersheds and marine life, especially Shem Creek and the Wando River, having worked with the Charleston Waterkeepers over the years. Eliminating polluting septic tanks in these watersheds is a priority for Clay.

Clay has participated in forging the State Water Plan, a roadmap for sustaining our state’s water resources for the next 50 years. Clay sat on the advisory board that developed the framework for the water plan. His knowledge of this planning process and ultimately the final plan will benefit the Commission in how they work together with SC Department of Natural Resources, SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and the General Assembly to meet South Carolina’s future water demands.

As for biosolids disposal, the Commission is doing an excellent job working together with Charleston Water System and North Charleston Sewer District in forming a regional solution to biosolids management, a by-product of wastewater treatment. Clay was instrumental in starting this regional alliance and will work hard to ensure the final disposal solution has a minimum effect on the environment at the lowest cost.

BUILD AND DELIVER

The Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) is the guide for delivering the water and sewer infrastructure to serve Mount Pleasant. The Commission is doing an excellent job in planning, building, and delivering utility systems that serve our growing community and economic development. When a customer moves into their new home, the water better come out of the faucet and their toilet better flush. That does not happen by accident. Commissioners oversee and approve the CIP. Clay has more than 30 years of experience in developing a CIP and supporting staff in meeting their objectives. He is uniquely qualified to continue adding his expertise to the decision-making process of the elected Commissioners.

PLAN YOUR WORK, WORK YOUR PLAN

Clay is familiar with these challenges and the other challenges mentioned in the MPW strategic plan, such as workforce development, financial viability, customer service and operational excellence. He can provide leadership and support in meeting the goals of the annual business plan.

Workforce development is essential in that with over $2 billion in utility assets, the Commission needs well trained, skilled maintenance technicians and programs to keep these assets ready for service 24/7. Clay helped start an intern program at MPW and lead the establishment of a statewide scholarship program for environmental students.

Financial viability means having adequate cash flow to meet operating expenses as well as establishing a reinvestment plan for the renewal and replacement of MPW’s fixed assets. Using innovation in expanding revenue streams such as the service line care program can build on the reliability of the utility’s revenue stability.

Customer service should always be job one for any utility. Customer service at MPW has been a priority whether it is the office staff or the field service technicians responding to customers’ needs. Programs such as Watersmart provide customers with direct communications should they develop a leak on their service line. The service line care program helps customers with problems with leaking service lines or backed up sewer lines on the customers’ property. Customer care programs and policies help customers with extraordinary water bills and financial problems.
The Commission is doing an outstanding job in developing a culture of operational excellence. The staff has been recognized for excellence in operations by DHEC and the USEPA. The Commission was recently recognized for having best tasting water, an example of the operational strategies of meeting standards above what the regulations require.

Thank you for your support and your votes! I look forward to serving the community of Mount Pleasant as Waterworks Commissioner. Please reach out with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

PROTECTING PRECIOUS WATER RESOURCES

UNIQUELY QUALIFIED FOR THE JOB

Licensed Water Operator with years of expertise and community involvement

Life member American Water Works Association and Water Environment Federation

Civil engineering graduate

Clemson University

Advisory member of the SC State Water Plan framework committee

45 years engineering, design, construction and operation of public water and sewer systems

Founding member of South Carolina Water Quality Association

Licensed USCG charter Captain and member of Coastal Conservation Association

Lector at Christ Our King Catholic Church

PASSION

Clay loves being on the water and is passionate about the water environment and water quality. “When I take folks fishing, they want to fish in clean, high-quality water and be able to catch fish safe to eat from our local water environment. Malfunctioning septic tanks, flooding and rising tides all contribute to marine water pollution in our local waterways like Shem Creek, the Wando River and the Intracoastal Waterway. I hope to work with Charleston County Council and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) in eliminating vulnerable septic systems and provide public sewer service to areas in and around our local watersheds, especially Shem Creek, while making the service affordable for those residents.”

AFFORDABILITY

Customers deserve high quality drinking water out of the tap and effective, efficient treatment of their wastewater before discharging into Charleston Harbor. They also should not have to pay an arm and a leg for this service. Clay looks forward to working with the General Assembly and DHEC to protect our groundwater resources from competing users like Google and adopt sensible regulations to avoid burdening customers unnecessarily, especially those on fixed income.

EXPERIENCE

Having worked as an environmental engineer with DHEC, Clay is familiar with regulations that protect the water environment and ensure safe drinking water is delivered to your tap every day. Clay led the design and construction of the first public Reverse Osmosis system in SC, providing Mount Pleasant customers with clean water for the last 30 years. Clay led the development and operation of the water and sewer infrastructure to support and sustain our growing community and economic development.

KEEPING WATER BILLS AFFORDABLE

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS THE MPW COMMISSION?

The Commission of Public Works for the Town of Mount Pleasant is the governing body of Mount Pleasant Waterworks. It is composed of the Mayor, the Chairman of the Town Council's Water Supply & Resources Committee, and five publicly-elected commission members for staggered terms of six years. The Commission is responsible for providing strategic direction, setting and evaluating policies, adopting annual operating and bi-annual capital budgets, approving contracts, and setting rates.

The current board of Commissioners is: Rick Crosby (Chair), Diane Lauritsen, Ph.D. (Vice Chair), Mac Jenkinson (Secretary/Treasurer), Linda Page, H. Clay Duffie, Jake Rambo, and Town of Mt. Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie.

CAN I ATTEND A COMMISSION MEETING?

Absolutely! Commission Meetings are open to the public and held every third Monday of the month at 5:30 p.m. (with exceptions for holidays), and these meetings allow of public comment in the beginning of the agenda. All meetings are held in the Public Meeting Room of the MPW Operations Center, 1619 Rifle Range Road, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464. The Personnel, Finance, and Audit Committees also meet as needed.

You can also read the current and past meeting agendas and minutes for all Commission and Committee meetings on the Mt. Pleasant Waterworks website here!

WHY CARE ABOUT THE WATER COMMISSIONER?

There are several seats up for election for Commissioners of Public Works occurring almost every year. These elected public servants are tasked with the responsibility of ensuring the community has safe drinking water and environmentally safe wastewater treatment.

Local government affects our daily lives more than State or Federal government. With water being one of the key elements to sustaining human life, your local elected water officials are more important to your everyday life than you may realize.

In the Lowcountry, there are several Commissions of Public Works: The City of Charleston, the City of Isle of Palms, the City of Moncks Corner, and the towns of Mount Pleasant, Summerville, and Seabrook Island. These elected bodies make up over one third of these commissions in the state of South Carolina and together serve more than half a million citizens. They set budgets, staffing levels and customers’ rates and charges, and they approve the capital improvement projects that grow the capacity to serve our ever-growing community. It is important to give consideration in electing Commissioners to 6 year terms that affect most every household in the region.

AM I ELIGIBLE TO VOTE FOR MPW WATER COMMISSIONER?

All legal voters in Mt. Pleasant are absolutely eligible to vote on the MPW Commissioner. It is understandable that off-year local elections may not attract a large voter turnout, but as a current commissioner for Mt. Pleasant Waterworks, I encourage voters to know who is running for your local water utility and get out and vote.

It's also important to check on your voter status often to make sure you're still registered correctly and eligible to vote in upcoming elections. Check your Charleston County voter registration here! >

CREATING A POLLUTION-FREE WATER ENVIRONMENT

CONTACT US

Please reach out today for more information about the commissioner, any interview requests, and any policy questions!

COOPERATING WITH STATE AND LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS