February 16, 2017 

BJWSA responds to wastewater release

Okatie, South Carolina– February 16, 2017 – Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority (BJWSA) reports that wastewater was released from the Dowlingwood neighborhood into Battery Creek, near the high tide marsh. The overflow occurred due to a power failure on the service line to the station.  Commercial power is being restored.

BJWSA crews responded to the overflow, and took appropriate cleanup/repair action to stop the overflow. Signs will be 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 has closed one nearby shellfish bed and three bacteriological samples have been taken from the impacted waters and sent to DHEC. Results will be reported as soon as they are available.

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 nine million gallons of wastewater to eight area 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 843-987-9200.

For more information, please visitwww.bjwsa.org or call 843-987-9213.

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