As with many cities in a fast-growing state, Aiken has faced development that puts pressure on its infrastructure and its existing community character. Through a partnership with the Aiken Land Conservancy, the city purchased 2,657 acres around Aiken’s Mason Branch Reservoir, placing it under a conservation easement and permanently protecting this critical drinking water source from development.  

When the property, known as the Brunswick Tract, was listed for sale and was under consideration for private development — including commercial space and 4,300 housing units — the city decided to purchase it for $5.25 million. It used fund reserves and engaged in some inter-fund borrowing to be paid off over 10 years to do this. Initially, city council expected some limited development to occur on the tract. However, with a $1.9 million grant to help manage the land from the SC Conservation Bank, the city was able to preserve the property in its entirety.  

By protecting a water source, the project contributes to Aiken’s focus on water infrastructure resiliency — an effort that also recently included a new $70 million water treatment plant, and upgrades to aging downtown water infrastructure. By protecting the land from development, the city is able to promote forest health, offer passive recreation access, provide groundwater recharge benefits to four aquifers and protect wildlife habitat. The city is working with the ALC on several grant projects to improve songbird habitat and reforest native longleaf pines.  

Contact Mary Tilton at mtilton@cityofaikensc.gov or 803.642.7640.