COLUMBIA - South Carolina Water Utilities (SCWU) and Kiawah Island Utilities (KIU) employees helped students across the Midlands and Lowcountry start the new school year prepared for success, providing 150 new backpacks filled with donated school supplies to students in and around the utility’s service territories.
Employees at SCWU’s Columbia and Kiawah offices collected supplies as part of the company’s annual back-to-school giving effort. The donations were used to fill backpacks for area students, continuing a tradition of supporting local schools, families, and community organizations. In the Midlands, the filled backpacks went to schools in Richland and Lexington Counties. In the Lowcountry, KIU employees gave supplies and backpacks to Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach on John’s Island for distribution.
“Our commitment to the communities we serve extends beyond providing safe and reliable water and wastewater service,” said SCWU President Craig Sorensen. “Our employees live in these communities, raise their families here and take tremendous pride in finding ways to give back.”
Community service has long been a core part of SCWU's culture. Throughout the year, SCWU team members support local schools and nonprofit organizations, participate in community cleanups and service projects, assist organizations addressing housing and food insecurity, and volunteer with initiatives such as Home Works, Water Mission's Walk for Water, Adopt-A-Highway, and Toys for Tots.
In 2025 alone, employees contributed more than 740 hours of volunteer service, making a meaningful impact in the communities where they live and work. Through these efforts, SCWU continues to strengthen its mission of supporting not only essential water services but also the well-being of the communities it serves.
“Our employees see service as part of being a good neighbor,” KIU Director of Operations Becky Dennis said. “Whether that means helping a family, supporting a local school or spending a day volunteering alongside colleagues, we want the communities we serve to know that we are invested in their success.”
About South Carolina Water Utilities
South Carolina Water Utilities is the state’s largest private provider of water and wastewater services, serving thousands of customers across the Lowcountry, Midlands, and Upstate regions. Through infrastructure investment and operational excellence, we safeguard our natural resources for today and future generations. Our mission is to deliver excellent customer service while protecting public health and the environment through clean, safe, and reliable water and wastewater systems. For more information, visit South Carolina Water Utilities’ website and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram.