Okatie, South Carolina – August 31, 2016 – Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority (BJWSA) reports that a minor spill of wastewater was released into the head water of Battery Creek at the end of North Street on August 29, 2016. The release occurred because of pipeline failure. The repair was completed quickly and the line was placed back in service the same day. The heavy rain that occurred coupled with the timing of the release warranted this public notice. BJWSA is working with SCDHEC to mitigate any effects caused by the overflow. BJWSA will take samples from Battery Creek and results will be available Friday, September 2.

BJWSA crews responded to the overflow; took appropriate cleanup/repair action to mitigate the effects of the overflow and collected bacteriological water samples from the creek. Signs have been posted in the area to inform the public about the overflow and will remain until normal sample results are obtained.

BJWSA has a well-trained and experienced field operations crew to monitor our wastewater collection system. These crews maintain the sewer lines to ensure the safe daily delivery of an average of 9.1 million gallons of wastewater to eight area 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 987-9200.

For more information, please visit www.bjwsa.org or call 987-9213.

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