Westminster Sewage Overflow

The City of Westminster’s sewer collection system had a sanitary sewer overflow at 404 Doyle Street, Westminster, SC.  A sanitary sewer overflow is a condition in which untreated sewage flows out of the sewer lines or sewer vaults prior to being treated.

On November 30, 2022 an underground vault overflowed onto the ground’s surface. As required by state regulations Westminster staff notified the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC). An estimated one (1) million gallons overflowed on to the ground during and after the heavy rain event the evening on November 30, 2022.

The cause of the overflow is root blockage in the underground vault coupled with excessive rain water. The closest stream or creek to the overflow area is unnamed and flows into Colonels Fork Creek.

The overflow area is marked with signs advising people to stay away. The ground soil has been and will continue to be sampled and monitored until any elevations in soil contamination no longer register evaluated levels.

At present, E.coli is the most pressing threat to humans. The flow of sanitary sewer is restored and there is not an active overflow.