Flooding from Tropical Storm Debby persists in low lying areas
Staff reports
Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority (BJWSA) is cautioning area residents to stay away from flood waters that may contain unseen risks. Even though the heaviest rainfall from Tropical Storm Debby has likely passed, floodwaters still pose risks especially in low lying areas. You should not enter, contact or consume any floodwater.
BJWSA crews conducting storm damage assessments have reported sanitary sewer infrastructure (pump stations and other manholes) have been flooded in much of our service area. Reported infrastructure impacted most are in Bluffton, Hardeeville, and Burton and are located at or adjacent to these addresses:
- Pump Station at 84 Buckwalter Pkwy, Bluffton, S.C. 29910
- Manhole at 853 Rocking Horse Ln, Bluffton, S.C. 29910
- Manhole at 613 Coopers Ln S, Bluffton, S.C. 29910
- Manhole at 3 Wood Eden Ct, Bluffton, SC 29910
- Manhole at 100 Blacksmith Circle, Beaufort, S.C., 29906
- Manhole at 122 Stiney Funeral Home Rd, Hardeeville, S.C. 29927
When flooding of this magnitude occurs, all stormwater should be treated as if it has come into contact with sanitary sewage and should be considered contaminated. Once stormwater recedes and crews can safely gain access, they will continue evaluations and begin any necessary repairs. The Authority believes this contamination began late in the evening on Monday, Aug. 5 and will be resolved later this week after flooding recedes.
BJWSA has notified the S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) and is working in conjunction with SCDES to address any effects caused by the contamination.
BJWSA has well-trained and experienced field operations crews to monitor its wastewater collection system, which collects and treats a daily average of 11 million gallons of wastewater at eight wastewater treatment facilities before returning the treated water to the environment.
If you see or suspect any type of spill from the sewer collection system, please contact BJWSA at 843-987-9200.
For more information or updates on this situation, please visit www.bjwsa.org.
