Pipe failure causes sewer overflow | Environment

Palmetto Utilities Inc. experienced a sanitary sewer overflow in the Bridge Creek area of Richland County on Sunday.

According to officials, system monitoring equipment automatically notified company personnel at 4:15 p.m. on Sunday, indicating an sanitary sewer overflow had begun at the Bridge Creek lift station on North Wood Lake Drive.  Response crews identified a break in the 10-inch force main caused by pipe failure. Repairs were completed by 7:30 p.m. and SCDHEC officials were notified at 9:27 p.m. 

Officials say cleanup of the affected area was done at 7:00 a.m. Monday and has been inspected and approved by DHEC. Sanitary sewer overflow volume is estimated at approximately 30,000 gallons. 

In accordance with SCDHEC, water samples from Bridge Creek and drainage pond in the vicinity of the spill have been taken and sanitary sewer overflow warning notices have been placed in the area. 

Officials ask that you avoid contact with the water in the secluded wooded Bridge Creek area until further sampling indicates the water quality has returned to normal. 

It should be noted that the water of Wood Lake was not affected.

For additional information regarding this public notice, contact Rick Melcher at 979-319-0966.