(Okatie, South Carolina) – July 23, 2022 – Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority (BJWSA) reports that an estimated 34,000 gallons of wastewater was released from a sewer force main in Palmetto Bluff on Friday, July 22. The overflow occurred due to the failure of the sewer main following a lightning strike to an adjacent tree.
BJWSA was alerted by Palmetto Bluff residents of the location of the overflow, and crews immediately responded. The overflow has been stopped, and crews are currently in the process of cleanup and recovery. The majority of the standing sewer is recoverable, and recovery will continue as long as necessary.
Signs have been 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.
BJWSA has well-trained and experienced field operations crews to monitor our wastewater collection system, which delivers 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 843-987-9200.
For more information, please visit www.bjwsa.org.
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