Rock Hill Struggles with Health Risks Following Major Sewage Spill from Hurricane Helene

Rock Hill Faces Major Sewage Spill After Hurricane Helene

Rock Hill, a vibrant city in South Carolina, is grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which recently wreaked havoc across the region. As if the heavy rains and flooding weren’t enough, the storm also led to one of the largest sewage spills the area has ever seen. In total, nearly 500,000 gallons of sewage made its way into the local waterways, raising significant health concerns for residents and officials alike.

What Happened?

The troubles began with a hefty 437,958-gallon spill that emanated from a manhole near the expansive senior living community of Sun City, located just off Charlotte Highway in Indian Land. This unfortunate incident kicked off at 12:30 p.m. on a Sunday and didn’t conclude until 11 a.m. on the following Monday. According to reports, Lancaster County Water and Sewer District informed the state Health Department about this massive overflow a few days later, sparking sudden concern within the community.

In the report, it was mentioned that utility crews were forced to cut power to a critical pump station due to the extreme flooding caused by Helene. The Catawba River itself rose dramatically, submerging the pump station with water levels more than 10 feet above air vents and airtight manholes. Such a drastic situation left many wondering about how commonplace these events might be and what could be done to prevent them.

More Spills on the Horizon

As if that wasn’t enough, another spill occurred in close succession, contributing 26,025 gallons of sewage into Sugar Creek when a six-inch force main pipe burst at the Bridgemill lift station in Indian Land. This spill, starting on September 26 and running until September 28, added to the already concerning issues in the area. The sewage spills didn’t stop with these two, as Rock Hill and Tega Cay recorded separate spills that summed up to another 9,000 gallons.

The Bridgemill spill notably took place at the same lift station that previously experienced a less severe break, resulting in a 54,000-gallon discharge earlier this month. This raises questions about the condition and reliability of the modern sewage systems in the area, especially considering that York, Lancaster, and Chester counties have reported a concerning 66 sewage spills since the beginning of 2021.

Health Concerns for Residents

When it comes to sewage spills, the health risks can be significant. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns against the potential hazards posed by water contaminated with sewage, which can contain bacteria and parasites that could harm individuals who come into contact with it. The recent spills in Rock Hill necessitate precautionary measures such as swim advisories and boil water notices, implementing a temporary halt to water-based activities until bacterial levels are deemed safe once more.

Looking Back at Spill History

It’s important to note that while the recent spills may seem alarming, they are part of an ongoing struggle with aging infrastructure, particularly in older utility systems. Previous incidents highlight the severity such spills can reach—larger than the almost 440,000-gallon spill at Sun City, the largest recorded impact on local waterways came way back in spring 2018, releasing a staggering 15.4 million gallons near Long Creek.

For perspective, the city of Lancaster experienced an even larger release in September 2021 at 500,500 gallons, yet this spill did not affect any streams, rivers, or lakes. The significance of the recent spill in Rock Hill cannot be overstated; it accounts for approximately 24% of the more than 1.8 million gallons spilled in the Rock Hill region since early 2021. Clearly, the challenges posed by heavy rains and flooding are something top of mind for the residents and authorities in this tight-knit community.

What Can Be Done?

In response to the spills, utility crews took immediate steps to mitigate potential health risks. They spread lime across the affected areas to disinfect and curb any noxious odors, also putting up signs to warn the public of the spill zones. While heavy rains do pose a threat of spills, they can also help flush out stagnant wastewater from the rivers and lakes, gradually returning them to a safer state.

As Rock Hill and the surrounding areas continue to grapple with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the community remains hopeful that steps will be taken to improve the situation for the future. After all, clean water is vital for a thriving community, and local residents are certainly putting their trust in the authorities to do what it takes to keep them safe.