WATER QUALITY ADVISORY: Severe rainfall, streambank erosion contributed to line failure

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Thursday, June 8, 2023

  • A severe rainfall event on May 9, 2023, is believed to have contributed to conditions that eroded the creek bank and undermined two trees, ultimately resulting in the failure of a 15” ReWa sewer line. However, an investigation by ReWa staff to learn more about the incident is still underway.
  • The sewer line wash-out was discovered on May 31, 2023, along Gilder Creek west of I-385 near Holly Springs and Brookbend Road.
  • ReWa team members diverted the wastewater flowing into the creek to another sewer line and repaired the failed pipe within 24 hours of being notified.
  • Proper notifications were made to SCDHEC and the drinking water utilities downstream of the reported wastewater overflow.
  • Within 48 hours of the repair, the required regulatory water quality sampling results indicated the creek had returned to normal conditions.
  • ReWa had team members walk the creek downstream of the repair location to inspect all pipelines along the creek, conduct the necessary clean-up from the spill, and restore Gilder Creek.
  • ReWa has continued a supplemental water quality monitoring plan beyond any regulatory requirement covering over 2.5 miles of Gilder Creek.