(Okatie, South Carolina) – December 21, 2020 – Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority (BJWSA) reports that an estimated 3,300 gallons of wastewater was released from a sewer force main into a tidal ditch leading to the Battery Creek in Beaufort on December 20. The overflow occurred due to the failure of the sewer force main crossing under the tidal ditch.
BJWSA crews immediately responded and have taken the appropriate cleanup/repair action to stop the overflow. Signs were posted in the area to inform the public.
BJWSA has notified the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC), and is working in conjunction with SCDHEC to address any effects caused by the overflow.
SCDHEC is evaluating the effects of the overflow on the shellfish harvesting areas located in the area of the overflow and will issue shellfish advisories if needed. A swim advisory is in effect until the lab results come back confirming acceptable bacterial levels.
BJWSA has a well-trained and experienced field operations crew to monitor our wastewater collection system. These crews maintain the sewer lines to ensure the safe daily delivery of an average of 10 million gallons of wastewater to eight wastewater treatment facilities for treatment and disposal.
If you see or suspect any type of spill from the sewer collection system, please contact BJWSA at 987-9200.
For more information, please visit www.bjwsa.org.
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