A public meeting of the Valley Public Service Authority is set to occur tonight, with officials expected to discuss a proposal for a takeover of the Graniteville water system.

The meeting will be at 6 p.m. at Gloverville Elementary School on Pine Street in Gloverville.

State Rep. Roland Smith, R-Warrenville, said he, state Sen. Shane Massey, a Republican who represents the 25th District, including Aiken, and state Rep. Tom Young, R-Aiken, will attend the meeting to "gently encourage" the Valley Public Service to agree to run the Graniteville system, which is currently overseen by Avondale Mills.

Mr. Smith said Avondale has wanted to get out of the water service business. The issue of water service provided by Avondale became a heated topic after Graniteville and Vaucluse residents received much higher water and sewer bills on Friday.

Residents said some bills were hundreds of dollars more than normal.

Mr. Smith said that he's been getting many calls from residents angry with the increase and that a takeover of the system by Valley Public Service "is the best resolution. It's a win-win for the community."

Mr. Smith said the hope is that Valley Public Service would enact rates that would be less than that of Avondale's revised costs.

Calvin Smith, general manager of the Valley Public Service Authority, said he doesn't expect the authority to vote one way or the other on the topic tonight. He said they will be discussing the latest in negotiations with Avondale, which have been ongoing for the past six weeks and so far haven't resulted in an agreement.

He said tonight's meeting is not meant for public comment from those upset about the higher Graniteville water rates.

A meeting on that topic is set to occur at 7 p.m. Thursday at Langley Church of God, 2444 Jefferson Davis Highway, in Graniteville.

Reach Preston Sparks at (803) 648-1395 or preston.sparks@augustachronicle.com