2017 South Carolina Code of Laws
Title 5 - Municipal Corporations
CHAPTER 31 - ELECTRICITY, WATER, NATURAL GAS AND SEWERAGE SYSTEMS

• Section 5-31-10. Laying water pipes under streams or highways.
• Section 5-31-20. Interference with sewers, waterworks and the like prohibited.
• Section 5-31-30. Investment of proceeds of sale of public utilities; sinking funds for outstanding bonds.
• Section 5-31-40. Powers under certain sections cumulative.
• Section 5-31-50. Exclusive municipal franchises for furnishing water or waste disposal service.

• Section 5-31-210. Election and terms of commissioners of public works in municipalities.
• Section 5-31-215. Ex officio commissioners of public works in certain cities.
• Section 5-31-220. Special provisions for cities over 50,000.
• Section 5-31-230. Municipalities in which there are no board of commissioners of public works.
• Section 5-31-235. Abolition of commissions of public works.
• Section 5-31-240. Qualification; organization; officers; vacancies.
• Section 5-31-250. Powers.
• Section 5-31-260. Incurring indebtedness.
• Section 5-31-270. Monthly financial report.

• Section 5-31-410. Purchase of lands for public works within corporate limits.
• Section 5-31-420. Condemnation upon refusal to sell land desired.
• Section 5-31-430. Powers of municipalities with respect to acquisition of property and operation of water and electric works.
• Section 5-31-440. Condemnation of land for waterworks and to protect watersheds.
• Section 5-31-450. Drains for surface water.
• Section 5-31-460. Condemnation for use of another corporation.

• Section 5-31-610. Construction and operation of municipal utilities.
• Section 5-31-620. Election prerequisite to action under article.
• Section 5-31-630. Election prerequisite to condemnation of waterworks.
• Section 5-31-640. Petition prerequisite to election.
• Section 5-31-650. Question may refer to issue of revenue bonds.
• Section 5-31-660. Action if election result is favorable.
• Section 5-31-670. Furnishing water for compensation; sewerage charge.
• Section 5-31-680. Sale, lease or other disposition of municipally owned natural gas system.
• Section 5-31-690. Restrictions on interruption of electric or gas services to residential customer for nonpayment of bill; exceptions.

• Section 5-31-810. Establishment of municipal sewerage system.
• Section 5-31-820. Sewerage commission; composition.
• Section 5-31-830. Sewerage commission; oaths of members; officers; vacancies and removal from office.
• Section 5-31-840. Sewerage commission; duties.
• Section 5-31-850. Sewerage commission; contracts with member.
• Section 5-31-860. Sewerage commission; expenditures.
• Section 5-31-870. Sewerage commission; records.
• Section 5-31-880. Use of streets, highways and public buildings for sewerage purposes.
• Section 5-31-890. Contracts as to systems of sewage disposal.
• Section 5-31-900. General ordinances, rules and regulations.
• Section 5-31-910. Contracts with public agency to provide municipalities with primary, secondary or tertiary sewage treatment or to dispose of solid waste; definitions.
• Section 5-31-920. Contracts with public agency to provide municipalities with primary, secondary or tertiary sewage treatment or to dispose of solid waste; terms and conditions.
• Section 5-31-930. Contracts with public agency to provide municipalities with primary, secondary or tertiary sewage treatment or to dispose of solid waste; ordinance.
• Section 5-31-940. Contracts with public agency to provide municipalities with primary, secondary or tertiary sewage treatment or to dispose of solid waste; powers and authorizations cumulative.

• Section 5-31-1110. Interfering with or opening fire hydrants.
• Section 5-31-1120. Interfering with property or appurtenances.
• Section 5-31-1130. Injury or obstructions to systems; pollution of water.
• Section 5-31-1140. Unauthorized use of water.
• Section 5-31-1150. Use of water without contract is a misdemeanor.
• Section 5-31-1160. Tapping water main without permit.
• Section 5-31-1170. Violations.

• Section 5-31-1310. Election to consider sale of light or water plants.
• Section 5-31-1320. Security from proposed purchaser.
• Section 5-31-1330. Notice of election.
• Section 5-31-1340. Persons entitled to vote; conduct of election.
• Section 5-31-1350. Sale if majority favors.
• Section 5-31-1360. Operating agreement with purchaser; maximum rates.
• Section 5-31-1370. Grant of franchise.

Editor's Note
Certain limitations on the performance of municipal services outside of corporate limits are prescribed in Chapter 7 of this Title. Articles 15 through 19 of Chapter 31 should be construed with Chapter 7 to understand the applicable limitations.

• Section 5-31-1510. Extension and assessment therefor.
• Section 5-31-1520. Extension beyond city limits.
• Section 5-31-1530. Ordinance to provide for payment of costs.
• Section 5-31-1540. Entry of assessments.
• Section 5-31-1550. Entry of assessments when extensions are beyond city limits.
• Section 5-31-1560. Lien of assessments.
• Section 5-31-1570. Effect of default in payment of installment.
• Section 5-31-1580. Entry of satisfaction of assessments.
• Section 5-31-1590. Deposit and use of receipts.
• Section 5-31-1600. Certificates of indebtedness against assessments.

Editor's Note
Certain limitations on the performance of municipal services outside of corporate limits are prescribed in Chapter 7 of this Title. Articles 15 through 19 of Chapter 31 should be construed with Chapter 7 to understand the applicable limitations.

• Section 5-31-1710. Authorization for municipalities having populations between 3,000 and 4,000 to extend water or sewer disposal facilities beyond city limits.
• Section 5-31-1720. Assessments for costs of extensions.
• Section 5-31-1730. Assessment book.
• Section 5-31-1740. Lien of assessments.
• Section 5-31-1750. Effect of default in payment of installment.
• Section 5-31-1760. Entry of satisfaction of assessments.
• Section 5-31-1770. Deposit and use of receipts.
• Section 5-31-1780. Certificates of indebtedness against assessments.

Editor's Note
Certain limitations on the performance of municipal services outside of corporate limits are prescribed in Chapter 7 of this Title. Articles 15 through 19 of Chapter 31 should be construed with Chapter 7 to understand the applicable limitations.

• Section 5-31-1910. Authorization for cities and towns to furnish water and electric current beyond corporate limits.
• Section 5-31-1920. Special provision for cities over 70,000, 1940 census.
• Section 5-31-1930. Special provision for cities of 50,000 to 60,000, 1950 census.

• Section 5-31-2010. Declaration of legislative findings and intent.
• Section 5-31-2020. Definitions.
• Section 5-31-2030. Powers of municipalities enumerated.
• Section 5-31-2040. Lien on real estate for sewer service charges; collection of past-due charges.

• Section 5-31-2310. "Political subdivision" defined.
• Section 5-31-2320. Authority to expend funds collected by front-foot or per-parcel assessments for sewer improvements.
• Section 5-31-2330. Application of funds to maintenance, repair and replacement of lines; conditions.
• Section 5-31-2340. Requirements on political subdivision prior to expenditure of funds.

• Section 5-31-2510. Definitions.
• Section 5-31-2520. Termination procedures; contents.
• Section 5-31-2530. Third party notification program.
• Section 5-31-2540. Disconnection when public safety emergency exists.
• Section 5-31-2550. Right of action; duty of care.