GLOVERVILLE --- Despite concerns about water loss, Valley Public Service Authority commissioners voted Monday to close on the takeover of the Avondale Mills system.

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The board members voted unanimously, with Commissioners Sammy Turner and Robert Curry absent, to close on the deal but authorized board Chairman Otis Gibson and General Manager Calvin Smith to make any needed minor changes before the official closing at 5 p.m. Friday.

The board voted to affirm the rates of Valley Public's current customers and charge Avondale Mills customers the rate approved by the South Carolina Public Service Commission.

The Avondale customers will pay a base rate of $6 and $6.50 per 1,000 gallons for sewer services. They will pay a base rate of $8 and $4.50 per 1,000 gallons for water services, Gibson said. The new and old customers will pay the same deposits, water tap and other nonrecurring fees.

Last week Avondale offered to pay an additional $600,000 for water loss, easements and other improvements to the system. The offer also included the fire loop that services Leavelle McCampbell Middle School, which Avondale had suggested shutting down.

Commissioners learned last week of a recent water leak resulting in a loss of millions of gallons of water. Avondale Mills has agreed to pay the authority a total of $1.7 million, which covers some engineering costs, repairs and legal fees.

The board of commissioners is hoping to get an additional 10 easements so that county engineers can work on all property to be serviced by the system, Gibson said.

Rehabilitation of the water and sewer system should be complete in three years, he said. Valley Public Service Authority will issue its first bills on March 1.

"Our biggest concern is water loss," Gibson said. "It's been a rough ride negotiating with Avondale and fixing the problems, but we feel this is the right thing to do."