BJWSA responds to wastewater release in Hardeeville
(Okatie, South Carolina) – June 13, 2021 – Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority (BJWSA) reports that an estimated 75,000 gallons of wastewater overflowed from the pump station at 31918 Whyte Hardee Boulevard, just south of intersection of Hwy 278 and Whyte Hardee Boulevard. The overflow started around 6 pm Wednesday, June 9 and ended around 2:30 pm June 12, due to a pump failure.
BJWSA crews immediately responded and have taken the appropriate cleanup/repair action to stop the overflow, which was contained to a wooded area south and east of the pump station. Crews recovered one load of sewer adjacent to the pump station prior to rain beginning, at which point the SSO became unrecoverable. Signs were posted in the area to inform the public.
BJWSA has notified the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC), and is working in conjunction with SCDHEC to address any effects caused by the overflow.
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 10 million gallons of wastewater to eight 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.
BJWSA applauds agreement with Kimberly-Clark Cottonelle© Flushable Wipes regarding municipal “flushability” standard
Okatie, SC; June 9, 2021 – Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority (BJWSA) is among many sewer utilities that have struggled for years with clogs, equipment failures and sewer overflows due to unsuitable personal care and other wipe products being flushed into their municipal sewer systems.
Recently, Charleston Water System (CWS) and the Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KC) reached an agreement wherein, by May 2022, KC’s Cottonelle® Flushable Wipes will adhere to a standard for “dispersability” developed by the municipal wastewater industry. This move helps to minimize impacts to public sewers, reduce sewer treatment costs and sewer overflows. KC produces Cottonelle® Flushable Wipes in South Carolina at their Beech Island plant in Aiken County.
Based upon independent testing performed for CWS, it appears that KC’s Cottonelle® Flushable Wipes already dissolve far more readily than other so-called “flushable” wipes tested by experts on behalf of the Charleston Water System. KC will bolster its commitment by agreeing to several years of independent testing to verify that its flushable wipes continue to meet the sewer treatment industry’s flushability standard.
KC also agrees to critical public education steps, including product-labeling specifications for both its flushable and non-flushable wipes. This labeling program will facilitate public understanding as to which of KC’s wipes are safe to flush. BJWSA encourages other
US-based wipes manufacturers to follow this industry-leading labeling program.
BJWSA calls upon all other flushable wipe manufacturers in the United States to follow KC’s lead and to commit to produce personal care wipe products that meet the municipal wastewater industry’s flushability standard, or to cease labeling their products as being “flushable” or “safe for sewer systems.”
“We applaud the Charleston Water System for their work with Kimberly-Clark in taking this giant step that will result in cost savings and protect the environment,” says BJWSA General Manager Joe Mantua, PE. “This action opens the door for others to help eliminate an industry challenge we have faced for many years.”
Learn more about the technology behind Kimberly-Clark’s Cottonelle® Flushable Wipes at www.cottonelle.com/flushability.
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Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority to hold virtual public meeting regarding Bluffton improvements
(Okatie, SC; June 8, 2021) – Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority (BJWSA) Engineering Department will hold a virtual public meeting Tuesday, June 15 at 6 pm, to present plans for the Bluffton infrastructure improvements. Register for the meeting at https://bjwsa_bluffton.eventbrite.com.
This project consists of a new 36-inch transmission line and a new elevated water storage tank, located near the storage units at the intersection of Buckwalter Parkway and Bluffton Parkway. These improvements keep BJWSA in compliance with South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) requirements.
Benefits include an increase in water flow and consistency of water pressure throughout the service area, improved service to customers and an increase in capacity for emergencies such as fire protection. Additionally, these improvements will allow the authority to maintain a high ISO rating for the fire departments, which translates to insurance rate savings for customers.
Customers with questions regarding the project may go to www.bjwsa.org/current-projects or contact projectinquiry@bjwsa.org for additional information.
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