Public Works Department
Public Works

Contact Information, Office Hours
Functions, Department Responsibilities
FAQ's, Common Terms, History, Interesting Facts

Request Assistance, Stormwater Fee Information

Functions
Administration
Engineering
Field Operations
Mosquito Control
Roads Management
Stormwater Management

The Public Works Department has a variety of responsibilities, including construction and maintenance of earth and paved roads, signage fabrication and installation, repair and replacement of bridges, construction and maintenance of storm drainage systems, stormwater utility program and mosquito control. These services are provided throughout the unincorporated areas of the county and, in many cases, to municipalities within Charleston County.

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This Department Does

dot Manage project construction and quality control
dot Coordinate the Charleston County Transportation Committee's pavement management program for the County's secondary roads
 
dot Design and test materials for road construction
dot Construct, inspect and repair earth and paved roads, streets, drainage ways and parking lots
 
dot Perform bridge inspections
dot  Manufacture and install street name signs and traffic control signs
dot  Design and manage the construction of storm drainage systems and roads
dot  Install storm drain pipes
dot  Clean and maintain canals and ditches
dot Manage the mosquito population through inspection, treatment, site cleanup and public awareness
 
dot Manage NPDES program (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System)
dot Maintain grounds and landscapes of county facilities
dot Provide snow and ice control
dot Provide for management of debris removal after natural disasters

This Department Does Not

dot  Dispose of dead animals (See Sheriff )
dot  Provide water or sanitary sewer services (See Water and Sewer Authorities)
dot  Provide garbage or trash pickups (See Solid Waste/Recycling )

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the charges for the services provided by the Public Works Department?
A: Usually there are no additional fees charged to Charleston County taxpayers for services provided.
Q: I'm having problems with drainage and flooding. Can Public Works help?
A: Public Works' Engineering Division will evaluate your situation. If your drainage problem encompasses more than one property, it can be considered a "community problem" which provides the authority for Public Works to develop corrective measures. While Public Works can offer advice regarding a problem confined to one property, it cannot take corrective action.

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Common Terms

Drainage Ways-- A generalized term referring to any area that functions as a runoff area for storm water. It can be either a natural (unimproved) or a man-made system.

Infrastructure-- The basic facilities, structures and systems necessary for the operation of the county, such as roads, bridges, drainage lines, etc.

Mosquito Control-- Management of the mosquito population through inspection, treatment, site cleanup and public education.

History

In 1898, the S.C. General Assembly created the Sanitary and Drainage Commission. The Assembly recognized three critical services had to be provided for the general public's welfare. Those services were mosquito control, storm drainage and road improvements.

When Charleston County Council was formed in 1949, it established the Department of Public Works which assumed the responsibilities formerly delegated to the Sanitary and Drainage Commission.

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Interesting Facts

dot  Since 1991, Public Works has received the following awards:
- The National Association of Counties' Achievement Award for the design and development of the countywide Recycling Program
- The National Association of Counties' Achievement Award for design of the Betsy Kerrison Parkway
- The City of Pine Level, North Carolina's Appreciation Award for Hurricane Fran relief work efforts
dot  Each year, Mosquito Control treats 95,000 acres by aircraft and 650,000 acres through ground spraying.
dot  The Field Operations Division maintains 224 miles of dirt roads and manually cleans 265 miles of canals and ditches each year. It also hauls an average of 110,000 cubic yards of dirt each year.
dot  The Pavement Management Program, established in 1994, requires Public Works inspectors to technically evaluate 1,592 miles of secondary paved roads and streets in the County.

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Contact Information:

Public Works  (Roads and Drainage Only - for Water see Water and Sewer Authorities)
Lonnie Hamilton, III Public Services Building
4045 Bridge View Drive
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 202-7600
(843) 202-7601 (Fax)
pwcustomerservice@charlestoncounty.org

Mosquito Control
4370 Azalea Drive
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 202-7880
(843) 202-7893 (Fax)

Office Hours:

Public Works
Monday-Friday
8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Mosquito Control
Monday-Friday
7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

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