Announcer> The following program is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

♪ ♪ Tom Fowler> Good evening.

One of the things that most people take for granted in South Carolina is water.

Water for drinking, cooking, and other household uses is a basic part of life.

When you need it, water will be there and you won't worry about the quality.

At least that's what most people think.

But for many people in South Carolina, water is a precious commodity.

One of the most basic of human needs is out of reach for many.

Tonight on this taped edition of "Open Line", we will talk about this problem and look at several examples seen in a tape prepared for the office of the Governor by South Carolina ETV.

Our guests are the Reverend I. DeQuincey Newman, director of the Division of Rural Development and Special Economic Assistance for the governor's office, and G. Robert Cook, grants coordinator for the Division of Rural Development and Special Economic Assistance.

Good evening.

We'll look at the tape in just a couple of minutes.

But, Reverend Newman, let me start off with you.

What?

What about that?

How serious is a problem, simply getting water for people in South Carolina?

Rev.

Dr.

Newman> The lack of access to potable water, is a major problem in South Carolina, particularly in rural areas.

This may not be visible, from interstate highways.

You really have to get off the beaten path, to see the conditions under which, a great, segment of the population lives.

The lack of safe drinking water, remains, a barrier to good health care, sanitation, waste disposal, and what have you.

The office of the governor, through its division of Rural Development, strives to serve as a catalyst, for correcting this situation that afflicts so many people in the state of South Carolina.

Tom> Aside from people calling some authority and saying we don't have good water, how do you find out about people that have problems?

Rev.

Dr.

Newman> We have throughout South Carolina established a number of, county and regional, grassroots citizens participation committees that are volunteer...that are volunteer workers.

They work with the staff of the Division of Rural Development, They are our antennas that help us to detect, what is needed in the state in terms of services, whether it's the health care, housing, rural water needs or whatever the needs might be.

Tom> And we'll see many of those needs in this tape coming up.

<Yes> Let me turn to Bob Cook.

Give us a little background.

Why was the tape prepared and what do you hope it will accomplish?

Bob Cook> Well, we wanted to use a forum like this and other forums, community meetings and a coordinated series of showings across the state to inform people that, a good many of our, residents and fellow citizens in South Carolina don't have water, as you said at the opening.

It's a commodity that we take for granted, but a lot of people, it's not available.

And, we wanted to inform people and sensitize some of our decision makers to the need in the rural areas.

Tom> Okay, we'll roll the tape now, and then after the tape is over, we'll come back and, and finish the program and talk a little bit about it.

And we'll take a look at that tape right now.

♪ ♪ Announcer> This is not a movie set.

This woman is not pretending she lives in the 19th century.

This is South Carolina in the 1980s.

This woman is just one of the many people in rural parts of the state who do not have easy access to good, clean water.

We asked her what she had to do to get water into her house.

>> I have to tote it in from, from the kitchen to the, to the pump.

...the washing too.

I don't have no other way to get it.

We have to go to the outside toilet.

If it's day or night, I have to go to the outside toilet, which I'm scared of snakes that you know.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Announcer> In the winter of 1980.

Governor Richard Riley visited several rural areas where the lack of adequate water systems is a major problem.

In the community of Petersfield in Charleston County, he commented on the severity of the problem.

Gov.

Riley> Well, it's, it's as bad as you could imagine.

In terms of, of having, public facilities, there are none, really.

No running water in a number of places.

They have to carry the water.

Sewer.

No Sewer.

The situation here, of course, with the high water table and, and the nature of the soil, it's kind of a mud, and it stays there.

And mosquitoes.

It's a health situation, of course.

And it really, is awful easy to get used to the many, public facilities that we all have.

And not to realize that there are many South Carolinians, that live in such a condition.

Announcer> The problem exists in every county in the state.

While most people can take water for granted, there are still many people who must spend a great deal of time hauling their water just outside the town of Pacolet in Spartanburg County.

13 houses use the same faucet to get water.

It's virtually impossible to force landlords to improve such properties.

Governmental programs are available but require the commitment, cooperation and persistence of local citizens.

Many Americans assume that such poor living conditions were wiped out years ago.

They're still much too prevalent in South Carolina.

Connie Brown, director of the Pacolet County Service Center, talked about one area where she knew conditions were especially bad.

Connie Brown> There are sewer lines right beside the apartment houses.

There's a ditch and the sewer runs right beside it.

In the summertime, the odor is terrible.

Bugs, flies.

You know that you can't stand in summer.

There were six apartments there.

On converse, I have one house that the water was cut off and they used the bathroom anyway, emptying water in the toilet.

And the waste came up through the city water line in the other people's houses in the neighborhood.

Announcer> Poor quality water and inadequate human waste disposal cause health hazards, which are major problems for South Carolina's rural people.

More than half of the state's population lives in areas which are defined as rural by federal standards.

And many of these people have no choice but to draw their water supplies from shallow wells, which are easily contaminated.

♪ Older people who have been using such water for years must be educated about the advantages of safer water supplies.

In the Lowcountry, in Beaufort and Jasper counties, staff members of Beaufort-Jasper Comprehensive Health Services Incorporated have been working for years to improve the quality of life available to all citizens in that area.

Their success in planning and financing new water systems offers proof that with diligence and proper leadership, the poor conditions which exist in our state can be improved.

They're working now on the problems and took us to see some of the deplorable conditions which people still endure.

The two women who live here will soon move to a new trailer, which Comprehensive Health helped them obtain with funds from Farmers Home Administration.

They've lived too long without many of the services and conveniences which most of us take for granted.

>> Well, that's nice... Announcer> I. DeQuincey Newman of the South Carolina Governor's office visited with us.

(indiscernible conversations) *>> How do you get your water?

Where do you get your water from?

*>> I just get it... (indiscernible conversations) Reporter> Right across the road?

*>> You know, it's a house right down the road here, a hand pump, which we will see a little later on.

<Right> and they carry this water from down there.

at this particular time.

Reporter> Yeah, it's a pitcher pump.

>> Yeah, yeah, Reporter> But I understand that.

<Yes.> Beaufort-Jasper Comprehensive.

Health Services interceded, by which they are going to be moving into new quarters.

<Very well.> And they'll have running water.

<Exactly.

That's right.> I know you're going to like that >> They'll have water, running water.

And we'll have sewage.

<Yeah.> And then there's a trailer right across the street from them.

They lived here some 30 years here.

You've lived here?

>> Well, over 30 some years.

>> 30 some years.

And they'll be moving out of this real soon.

We have some final work to do over there on the trailer, and after that, we'll get them moved in there.

>> Yeah.

That's great.

That's great.

Reporter> And they'll have these conveniences, >> All modern conveniences.

Reporter>...modern conveniences.

electricity, <electric, all electric> running water, <running water.> Hot and cold.

<Hot and cold.> Good.

Good.

Yeah.

And they can wash right in the house.

<Wash right in the house.

Washing and cleaning...> Yeah.

<Sure do.> And they won't have to go outdoors to the toilet.

<No more.

No more.

That's all over.> >> They feel better... Reporter> That will add 10 or 15 years to your life.

>> You got faith.

You got faith.

Sure do.

Reporter> That'll add years to your life.

>> That's right, that's right.

I sure appreciate you.

Reporter> And happiness.

>> I sure appreciate that.

<Yeah.> Announcer> These women still get their water from a hand pump about 100 yards away.

The pump must be primed.

It's water is surface water highly susceptible to chemical and bacteriological contamination, but several families still have to use it.

Do you mind telling me why you don't have running water?

>> Well, the number one.

I don't have the money You know to afford to put down one.

Reporter> Yeah.

>> And, Yeah.

And I've been trying to get to get the water.

They charge me.

They want won't charge $160.

In order to bring the city water to me and at the time, and they were here, I was in trouble.

In order to get the city water I would have to pay, I would have to pay $160.

That's been since last year.

Yeah, and I don't have the money to pay.

Reporter> Yeah, well, so you'd have to have $160 to tap on.

>> That's right.

<Yeah.> >> And, I don't it might probably might cost more now.

I don't know.

<Yeah.> You know, since last year, since I've been down there.

Reporter> So this pump, this is your drinking water, <Yes, sir> your laundry water and your cooking water?

<Yes, sir> And your bathing water.

<Yes, sir.

All in one.> All in one.

Announcer> In Beaufort County, Comprehensive Health has worked with local agencies to improve water and sewer service.

We talked with Mr.

Lee Webb, general manager of the Beaufort Water Authority, about the situation there and the work he's done.

Mr.

Lee Web> Well, in our particular case, we're in a county where there are quite an abundance of rural poor people.

And, through the help of the state and the State Grants Commission and, Beaufort county and various and...federal programs from Farmers Home and HUD and others, we've been able to generate funds to provide potable water service.

And, by the way, fire protection in most cases for well over 2000, I believe, of these rural people.

I suspect that we'll always have poor people.

But I didn't realize until we got involved in this just how disadvantaged they are in some respects, and if we can help them one little bit by giving them good potable water.

I think we've done a good job.

Announcer> Much of this work in the low country was initiated by Thomas Barnwell, executive director of Beaufort Jasper Comprehensive Health Services and state chairman of the Rural Water and Sewer Grants Committee.

He explained why it is important to keep working to get good water for everyone.

Thomas Barnwell> The need for the water, if you were hauling, water for a mile, two miles and, if you, needed to, to wash your clothing and you did not have, adequate water pressure, if you've seen your neighbor's house burn and the fire department pull up and had inadequate water to put the fire out, if members of your family actually died and in a mobile home because of, inadequate, water to, to, to extinguish the fire, people, young children, going to school in the mornings and, other recreation activities, having inadequate water to keep their bodies clean and healthy.

I mean, these are the, real things that keep, people interests up.

And, the growth of the community, again, is extremely important.

Water is, is, is a necessity today for all families, all Americans, all people.

It's it's extremely important.

And we just can't stress that enough.

Announcer> Mr.

Barnwell's staff also administers a program which installs septic tanks for residents who have no sewage disposal system.

As her tank was being installed, this woman told us about some of the recent changes she's enjoyed in recent years.

>> Well, it was, it was beautiful because, see, I had the toilet water, you know, from the neighbor's house, and, you know, I just had to, everything I'd do, had made so many trips, from other people's house for water, you know, and then and it was, it was, it was, you know, rough, kind of rough.

And the water is so much better, you know, because, you know, just like you go, you have, you know, you know, your sheets and stuff to wash.

And then most of the time it, you know, it turned into yellow.

It turn into a different color.

Announcer> Rural residents around the state need help.

At the Donnelley community near Hemingway, people were drinking nearly poisonous water.

As a result of public outcries, city lines were extended, improving not only water quality but also nearly every aspect of life in the area.

When a water system is introduced into a community, the community usually undergoes a series of significant changes.

Families install indoor plumbing, housing is improved, pride in the community grows.

Industries are more likely to invest in the area.

A better quality of life is established.

Providing all people in the state with good drinking water is not an impossible task.

It will require collaboration, leadership and money.

Federal funds are available now through such agencies as Farmers Home Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, Housing and Urban Development and the Economic Development Administration.

But these monies must be supplemented with local, county and state appropriations, state legislators, county councilman and local officials must acknowledge the problem and consider ways to solve it.

Ordinary citizens must let public leaders know that they want attention paid to our state's rural water situation.

Increased funds from the state could help small communities to appeal for further funding.

At a time when South Carolina is growing faster than ever before, it is a shame that many residents of our state must still draw their water from open wells and pitcher pumps.

Dr.

I. DeQuincey Newman, Rev.

Dr.

Newman> The greatest barrier that stands in the way of improving the quality of life for rural residents of South Carolina, particularly the rural poor, is the lack of safe drinking water and indoor plumbing.

There are tens of thousands of rural residents of the state who have not benefited economically nor socially from the industrialization that has taken place in the last 25 years.

The fact is, many rural residents of South Carolina have a lifestyle that is as hard as the lifestyle was during the darkest days of the depression back in the 1930s, I realized that the overwhelming majority of those of you who are viewing this program will not have the opportunity, nor the time to go out and take a firsthand view of the situation as it exists as Governor Riley did on the 15th of February of this year.

So I'm grateful for the opportunity to bring to your attention and ask you to consider the plight of the people who are deprived of these basic necessities of life.

It's a challenge, and I hope that each of you will feel a responsibility for removing this blight from the state of South Carolina.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Tom Fowler> Let me begin by putting this question to, to both of you.

Throughout the tape, there were mentions of the various federal programs that, efforts to improve potable water depend on.

What will the proposed cuts, by President Reagan do to current existing plans, plans in the coming months?

Rev.

Dr.

Newman> It will be disastrous, to say the least.

The state doesn't have the resources to meet these needs without federal intervention, people are going to suffer.

People will not get the kind of service that they deserve as human beings and as citizens of our country.

Tom> Specifically, what will happen?

Bob Cook> One of the agencies that was mentioned is a funding source for not only these projects, but related projects, as Economic Development Administration, which is proposed to be cut out completely, zero funding.

Also, some of the planning commissions, the people who put together the packages, the people who put together the loans and grant packages, those people are slated to have zero funding.

That is to say they're slated by, the current administration to be, out of business this time next year, and it will have, a devastating effect on a number of communities that are in the middle right now who will be relying on federal funds.

And if there are no funds, then, it'll be another ten years for some of these communities before they realize safe drinking water.

And also it affects, economic development, and industry is not going to come into a community with if there's no water and, other amenities.

But, having water is the first and most basic need.

Tom> Is there anything that can be done if and when these programs are cut, the money dries up?

What can be done without that support?

Rev.

Dr.

Newman> I don't know what can be done.

I have a feeling, however, that something will be done.

The need is so great.

And, we in America, we do have a conscience.

And, I think that, maybe not tomorrow or next week, but sooner or later, people in responsible positions in government and in the private sector are going to see to it that these basic needs are met.

Tom> How does South Carolina compare with, our neighboring states, other states in the country, and in the simple fact that many people can't get good drinking water, how do we compare?

Rev.

Dr.

Newman> I don't know, but, my feeling is that, you might have a similar situation in the state of Georgia, which has a considerable coastline.

And, much of the rural water problem is in the, coastal area of the state, not to the exclusion of other areas, but I should think a preponderance of the need is found in the tidewater section of the state.

Bob> It's prevalent in other states, as well.

Numerically, in South Carolina, the Census Bureau estimates that approximately a half million people that, is to say, more than 100 thousand households, in the latest census available, figures available do not have running water.

And, we're talking about, a half a million people throughout the state.

I would imagine in sheer numbers, Georgia and North Carolina, because of the population size, may have more, but relatively speaking, I can't imagine it being worse in any other state.

Tom> But those census figures, that is a staggering figure.

That's half a million people out of a population of just over 3 million.

Bob> That's correct.

That are affected by this problem.

Rev.

Dr.

Newman> That's a fifth of the population.

Bob> Yes.

Yeah.

And, it's, it was staggering to us when we first started looking at some of these figures, the number of, houses that do not have running water do not have bathrooms, of course.

And the number that, either have, a spigot, but no, flush toilet, which is, a serious problem, as you saw on the tape in a number of communities.

And we've identified in our, at the staff level, we've identified 64 communities or 64 areas of the state where this problem is serious.

And, we're in the process of, working closely with several of those communities and putting together grant applications and, working with the funding sources.

And if the monies are cut out, then I see some of these, communities and some of these people having, as I said, another ten year wait.

One of those projects was ten years in the works that we saw.

They were put in the water lines in.

And, for some of these people, it may be another ten years.

Tom> Can people wait ten years, if you have, a situation where you have a community of people, obviously more people are going to be born.

People are going to move into some situations.

What can be done, in that, in that instance where you've got a community of people and you've got new people moving in, are they going to inherit the problems of their neighbors?

Rev.

Dr.

Newman> Yes.

This is, we'll follow as a natural sequence, they'll inherit the situation that, they found, and then they will pass it over to the next, generation if something is not done to, to correct the problem.

Tom> What can people do if they want more information on the program that you have going on?

Who can they write to?

Rev.

Dr.

Newman> They can write to the Division of Rural Development, office of the governor, 1205 Pendleton Street.

Zip code 29201 or telephone 7-5-8 7-8-0-4.

Tom> Okay, okay.

In recent years, how, how far have we come?

Obviously the tape points out there is a vast problem in the state, but how far have we come in recent years?

Rev.

Dr.

Newman> I should think that Beaufort County has come farther than any of the others.

And I think in this context, we ought to give credit where credit is due.

The focus of Senator Hollings' poverty tours back in 1967, 1969, and, Governor West joined him in 1970 when he became governor, was into Beaufort County.

We are happy to state now that, safe drinking water is available to nearly all of Beaufort County, not all, but nearly all.

And, Beaufort , which was once, South Carolina's exhibit A, when it comes to rural needs, has now yielded that position to some other counties.

Tom> Quickly in about 30 seconds where will the initiative come, in those other counties to correct that problem?

Rev.

Dr.

Newman> They will have to come from the people themselves who are affected.

And we hope that the Division of Rural Development will serve as a catalyst, in those areas, to, apprize people of resources that are available from outside of that immediate community.

Tom> Thank you.

That's all the time we have Our thanks to the Reverend I. DeQuincey Newman and to Bob Cook.

Thank you for joining us.

I'm Tom Fowler.

Good night.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ The preceding program was made possible, in part, by a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

♪