S.C. Code § 5-31-430
Cities and towns may purchase and hold suitable lands and water and erect aqueducts, dams, canals, buildings, machine shops, and other works and construct and lay conduits, mains, and pipes as may be necessary to obtain and secure a supply of water and power for operating the waterworks and electric light works. They may erect poles and wires along any of the adjacent highways and in the cities and towns and may condemn (a) any property and lands, the drainage from which would contaminate the water supply of the city or town, (b) streams, lakes, or lands as may be required for the water supply of the city or town, or (c) rights-of-way to enable them to lay mains and pipes for water, sewerage, or drainage, and erect and operate the aqueducts, dams, canals and water and electrical works and electric lines after paying to the owner just compensation for the property or rights-of-way to be condemned, as determined in the manner provided by the Eminent Domain Procedure Act (Chapter 2 of Title 28).
S.C. Code § 5-31-430