SC.GOV: The Official Web site of the State of South Carolina

COLUMBIA - A large spill of untreated sewage from a clogged manhole into Battery Creek in Beaufort County has resulted in an advisory for people to not swim in the waters of Battery Creek north of the Battery Creek Bridge on S.C. Highway 802 to its headwaters, the state Department of Health and Environmental Control reported today.

“The discharge was reported to DHEC by the Beaufort Jasper Water and Sewer Authority which operates the sewer system,” said Russell Berry, director of DHEC’s Region 8 environmental quality control which includes Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties. “The report indicated a large spill of an unknown amount of raw sewage occurred near the Cross Creek Shopping Center in Beaufort. The utility has begun cleanup activities and water samples from Battery Creek are being collected by DHEC staff.”

Berry said sewer overflows can occur whenever a sewer collection line has been damaged or clogged, or due to heavy rains. Urban streams and rivers are especially susceptible due to their proximity to sewer collection systems. Pollutants, such as fecal coliform, are a potential in urban streams and rivers during these types of spills.

The swimming advisory will remain in effect until sample results indicate acceptable water quality.