The DUC
The Dewees Utility Corporation (DUC) manages water and sewer services on Dewees Island. This includes a reverse osmosis water treatment plant and a wastewater treatment system that manages sewage in an environmentally responsible manner. The DUC operates as a community-oriented utility service. A Board of Directors of island residents drives its management and fee decisions. The DUC also provides trash and recycling services.
The DUC's fee structure is based on availability and usage. All owners pay an availability fee for access to water and sewer services.
Water Plant
The reverse osmosis water treatment facility purifies groundwater by removing salts and impurities supplying safe drinking water. The process pushes water through a semi-permeable membrane with pressure, eliminating dissolved salts, organics, and other impurities. The facility was created to generate sufficient water for the island's residents and uphold water quality to meet regulatory requirements.
Plumbing and Sewage
Sealed systems channel sewage to a centralized treatment plant. Underground pipes gather wastewater from homes and guide it to the treatment facility. There, biological and chemical methods decompose organic substances, eliminate contaminants, and sanitize the water. The DUC's operations are aligned with Dewees Island’s conservation efforts and are continuously monitored and regularly maintained.
Trash and Recycling
Residents manage their waste by bringing trash and recycling to the solid waste station near Public Works. General waste and recycling are placed in dumpsters and transported off the island every other week via barge. The island also provides two 30-yard dumpsters: one for larger household items, such as furniture and bulky waste, and another dedicated to scrap metal, including appliances, metal furniture, and general scrap materials.