Drainage project in West Ashley neighborhood finished after five years

WEST ASHLEY, S.C. (WCBD) – A drainage project, five years in the making, is now in operation at a flood-prone West Ashley neighborhood.

This month, Charleston County completed the installation of a pipe officials said is designed to reduce the depth of flooding for the homes and apartments on Boone Hall Drive and William Kennerty Drive.

According to Chris Wannamaker, the $500,000 project stemmed from a 2019 study and was made possible by FEMA grants.

“We want to get the water out in the first hour when it starts to rain, not 12 hours into the rain when usually the peak happens. We have had a lot of rain bombs lately. The first drop of water that hits this pipe can now run out to the canal in the back,” said Wannamaker, who serves as the Stormwater Utility Manager for Charleston County Public Works.

Wannamaker explained there is a nearly 800-acre basin in the area known to cause flooding during heavy rain and hightide events.

“I have actually moved my car to the school around the corner. And then had to tread back through four feet of water to get back to my apartment where there was still water sitting in front of my door,” said Tamora Bailey, a resident of over 10 years.

Eric Fore, another resident, also experienced the flooding firsthand when Hurricane Ian blew through the Lowcountry in 2022. Fore lives next to where the new pipe was constructed and said he has seen some improvements so far, but apparently some of his neighbors have not.

“According to my neighbors that live a little farther down the street, now it just floods worse in their area. So, its just moved the water from one area to another,” Fore told News 2.

While the pipe may be finished, county officials said there is still more work to be done.

“We will actually continue to work in this basin to make improvements. We have several recommendations from the study. This was the best benefit cost analysis outcome, and it will hopefully show the best results for the short period of time that until we go on to the next project,” Wannamaker said.

Wannamaker added that the county will work with their community partners to perform maintenance on the canal where the water is flowing to improve drainage.

He encouraged residents to call Charleston County Public Works to notify them of any flooding issues they’re experiencing. The number is (843)-202-7600.