Policies and Guidance
Spartanburg Water maintains ownership of our drinking water reservoirs, including shoreline property above the water's edge. We take this responsibility seriously and follow a strict set of policies and procedures to ensure the long-term health and quality of the reservoirs that supply our community with its drinking water.
We have adopted specific policies and procedures that govern any recreational activities on Lake Bowen. To access them, please follow this link:
Spartanburg Water System Policies and Procedures for Use of Water Supply Reservoirs
Amendments to the Policies and Procedures as of January 22, 2019
Spartanburg Water's Commissioners approved a new set of policies for the use of SWS-owned property surrounding Municipal Reservoir #1 and the use of portable fire rings on SWS-owned land surrounding Lake Bowen and Lake Blalock.
Click here to access the Municipal Reservoir #1 amendment: Municipal Reservoir #1 Amendment.
Click here to access the Portable Fire Ring Policy amendment: Portable Fire Ring Policy Amendment.
Before participating in any recreational boating activities on Lake Bowen, please read through the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Boating Regulations.
The Commission of Public Works of the City of Spartanburg recently enacted a Resolution to Protect Water Quality. Please click the link to read this important information.
For a list of native plants that can be planted on Spartanburg Water-owned property, go to Native Plant Reference Guidance.
For a guide to protecting the banks of our reservoirs, go to the Shoreline Stabilization Guidance.
Irrigation Plan
Lake Bowen provides an excellent source of high quality drinking water for the people of the Spartanburg area. Protection of this resource is needed to ensure that current and future generations will continue to enjoy drinking water from the reservoir and also have excellent opportunities for outdoor recreation and education. Protection of the reservoir begins with the surrounding watershed and associated land use practices. Spartanburg Water has developed a policy aimed at protecting water quality and quantity by managing withdrawals around Lake Bowen for private irrigation.
The City of Spartanburg Commisioners of Public Works approved the Lake Bowen Irrigation Plan by resolution in May 2009 and amended in January 2014. Documents below may be downloaded or may be picked up at the Lake Bowen Wardens' office located at 8515 Highway 9.
Additional Resources:
Lake Bowen Irrigation Permit Application
SWS Indemnity and Hold Harmless Agreement Related to Electric Wiring
Guidelines for Marine Structures and Maintenance
Guidelines for recreational structures erected on Lake Bowen are governed by Spartanburg Water's Guidelines for Marine Structures document and the following:
Marine Structure Emergency Repair Guidance
Marine Structure Maintenance Guidance
Marine Structure Reconfiguration Guidance
Marine Structure Replacement Guidance