MORNING NEWSBREAK | Longtime sewage overflow problems with the Charleston Water System (CWS) — which is independent from the city of Charleston — may soon land the agency in court.
The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), representing Charleston Waterkeeper, is preparing to sue CWS over its wastewater system, according to media reports.
The environmental nonprofits reportedly allege the sewer system hasn’t adequately addressed sewage overflow problems ranging from leaking manholes and broken sewers to pipe blockages, pump station failures and other issues. Neglect of its infrastructure, the law center’s attorneys say, allows sewage overflow to hit local water bodies which has led to CWS “repeatedly violated and continues to violate” the federal Clean Water Act.
But the agency is pushing back. “Our mission is to support public health and protect the environment, and overflows are never an acceptable outcome,” CWS spokesman Mike Saia is quoted in a statement. “Our current $123 million wastewater capital program consists of projects that directly address all areas prone to sewer overflows.”
CWS has experienced at least 176 illegal sewage overflows since 2015, SELC and Waterkeeper claimed in a legal notice submitted to the utility on Feb. 28. Many of those spills have washed sewage into local water bodies like the Ashley and Cooper rivers, and James Island Creek, the notice said.
“The reality is the sewage system needs to be updated. To keep up with, not only the population growth we’re seeing in Charleston, but also sea level rise, and the stronger storms we are seeing every year,” SELC attorney Emily Wyche said.
In other recent headlines:
CP NEWS: Stones Throw’s Sleeveless Dave talks beer. You can feel Dave Seyler’s passion and intensity for beer in person — and you can taste it in his beer. You even feel it in the brewery in Goose Creek.
CP OPINION, Moore: Extreme abortion bans inflame Black maternal mortality crisis. “Six months ago, South Carolina’s all-male Supreme Court upheld a statewide, six-week abortion ban — declaring constitutional the dangerous measure that Republican lawmakers and Gov. Henry McMaster muscled through the legislature last spring.”
S.C.’s push to pass hate crimes law stalls again. The hate crimes bill that passed the House 84-31 in March of last year has sat on the Senate’s calendar for nearly a year. If it isn’t approved by early May, it will die — just like a similar bill that made it that far in 2021 before the Senate did nothing with it. South Carolina is one of two states that don’t have a hate crimes law.
S.C. House working to soften liquor insurance spike. The S.C. House of Representatives will take up legislation to create incentives to bring insurers back into the state’s dramatically declining liquor liability insurance market.
SCDNR encourages to experience nature during National Day of Unplugging. March 1 is National Day of Unplugging, a day when people should detach from technology by enjoying the natural world around them, said the S.C. Department of Natural Resources.
Construction begins on 50-unit townhome project on Daniel Island. Developers have broken ground on a 5.5-acre townhome community on the site of the Charleston Battery’s former home on Daniel Island after five years of planning.
Potholes raise concerns for drivers along Dorchester Road. Drivers are saying too little has been done for too long about the bumpy rides up and down Dorchester Road in North Charleston.
West Ashley community meets to address crime among homeless population. On Wednesday evening, the West Ashley community met in the Bees Ferry library to discuss the issue of crime among people experiencing homelessness in the area.
Folly Beach library to close for several months for renovations. The Folly Beach Library will close at the end of the week for several months due to scheduled renovations.
Shopping center coming to Summerville to include 6 restaurants, 7 other businesses. A new supermarket-anchored shopping center coming to the Summerville area will include six restaurants and seven other tenants, including a bank and a gym.
Boeing has 90 days to improve safety, quality, FAA says. The Federal Aviation Administration is giving Boeing Co. 90 days to come up with a plan to fix quality problems and meet safety standards for building planes after a panel blew off a newly repaired 737 Max jetliner last month.
To get dozens of South Carolina news stories every business day, contact the folks at SC Clips.
Help keep the City Paper free.
No paywalls.
No subscription cost.
Free delivery at 800 locations.
Help support independent journalism by donating today.
