Charleston faces environmental challenges as sewage overflows into local waterways

Charleston, South Carolina – Following Tropical Depression Debby, Charleston’s primary water treatment plant on Plum Island has had major operating difficulties that have resulted in two distinct sewage spills into adjacent creeks. The system was overrun by the excessive rain, which resulted in unexpectedly large wastewater volumes—from the typical 15 to 20 million gallons daily to a startling 95 million gallons.

Speaking to WCSC, Mike Saia, the Public Information Administrator for the Charleston Water System, said the situation was seriously taxing the capacity of the plant.

“The unfortunate reality is our plant is really good at bringing that wastewater from the community here, but we’re not very good at the moment of treating it and releasing it into the harbor and so what happens is we kind of get behind and it backs up in the system,” he says.

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While a smaller leak, lasting less than an hour, impacted an unidentified waterway near James Island waterway, one of the leaks, which lasted many hours, impacted Dill Creek. The plant’s pumps were further disabled by the coincidental high tide and severe downpour, which they could not handle.

Dealing with these reoccurring problems, Saia emphasized a $40 million future project meant to improve the capacity of the facility by adding a new pumping station and bigger pumps. This project is on hold, though, until the completion of a present $110 million renovation replacing outdated buildings harmed by hydrogen sulfide exposure. Saia notes they have roughly two years remaining and that the project must be finished before they may begin on the other one.

Although Dill watercourse has seen similar incidents several times in the past, this episode represents the first one of a tank overflow into the unidentified watercourse. The reasons are still under research; Saia notes that the overflow occurred early in the treatment process, where less wastewater is handled.

The Charleston Water System is actively trying to determine the whole scope of the wastewater lost during these events. Plans call for environmental testing of the impacted creeks to guarantee their recovery to safe bacteriological levels. According to Saia, officials hope to see some natural remedial benefits including better oysters and richer grass, which nature uses to filter pollutants.

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The water system is dedicated to its goal of safeguarding public health and the environment regardless the challenges.

The overflow into the harbor goes against everything they are, according to Saia. Their goal is to assist public health and the environment, so they are doing everything they can to try and safeguard the harbor; sadly, once their $110 million project is finished, they cannot much influence public health or the environment.

As the matter develops, the community will be kept updated regarding the safety of nearby rivers for leisure activities.