Three sanitary sewer overflows

The EF3 tornado that struck Oconee County during the morning of April 13 caused three reportable sanitary sewer overflows on the Oconee Joint Regional Sewer Authority’s wastewater collection system last week. The spills occurred in the following locations:
• Davis Creek Road #2 Pump Station (1801 Davis Creek Road, Seneca) – The cause was due to a generator that failed to start. The 8,300-gallon spill was contained to the area around the pump station and did not reach a waterway. • Perkins Creek Pump Station (31804 Cross Creek Drive, Seneca) – The cause was due to a generator malfunction during the power outage. The 57,192-gallon spill reached Perkins Creek. • Speeds Creek Pump Station (380 Campbell Bridge Road, Seneca) – The cause was due to the generator being damaged and not able to operate without staff onsite. The 88,610-gallon spill reached Speeds Creek. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is aware of the overflows.
The OJRSA has collected bacteria samples in the affected areas and will continue to analyze the impacted waterways until levels return to normal. People and pets downstream of these areas should avoid contact with the water until the advisory is rescinded.