Sewer overflow near Walhalla

Persistent rain across the western portion of the Upstate caused a sanitary sewer overflow near a pump station at Flat Rock Road south of Walhalla on Monday. An estimated 50,000 gallons of diluted wastewater entered the Duck Pond Reservoir due to inflow and infiltration of surface and ground water overwhelming the pump station and restricting its ability to transfer all of the stormwater and sewage for treatment. The reservoir is available to the city of Walhalla for a backup water supply. The Oconee Joint Regional Sewer Authority has notified the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) of the incident and samples will be collected for analysis. Signs have been posted alerting those in the vicinity to avoid the area and will remain in place until SCDHEC has approved the cleanup. People and pets near Flat Rock Road should avoid contact with the water until the notice is rescinded.