SC MV and AV ROW Markers

[N9JIG]

I was recently in SC, driving from Miami to Myrtle Beach then to Charleston. During that trip I followed US-378 and US-17 for extended periods as well as several state roads.

Along many of these roads there were periodic concrete ROW markers labeled as "MV" and occasionally similar posts with "AV" instead of "MV" on them. Many were crudely spray painted blue.

A couple questions:

What does "MV" and "AV" mean?

Why the crude spray painting?

Are these truly Right of Way markers or do they indicate something else?

[Henry]

My guess is that it has something to do with the water main, as "MV" means "Master Valve", and "AV" means "Auxiliary Valve".

[cowboy_wilhelm]

I feel stupid for not knowing this until now and never bothering to look it up.

[N9JIG]

Oh wow, now I wish I had looked for water infrastructure in the area!

That reminds me of seeing "W", "E" and "S" engraved on the curbs in my neighborhood. At first I thought they were directional indications as they seemed to jive (except for the lack of "N"'s) but when I looked around they started to appear not to. It took me driving thru a construction area and seeing the water and sewer facilities being installed before I realized that they were indicating the locations of the pipes.

[PColumbus73]

My guess is that it has something to do with the water main, as "MV" means "Master Valve", and "AV" means "Auxiliary Valve".

Correct.

These are markers related to the water and sewer lines. They are installed/maintained by the local water & sewer utility to indicate location of valves nearby. If you walk up to one of them, they should have a brass medallion on top with an arrow and distance to said valve.