Lexington fixes issue sending partially treated wastewater into creek

Posted 3/20/23

11 days after first reporting the issue, the Town of Lexington says it has fixed a problem that was causing partially treated wastewater to flow into a local creek.

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Lexington fixes issue sending partially treated wastewater into creek

Posted

11 days after first reporting the issue, the Town of Lexington says it has fixed a problem that was causing partially treated wastewater to flow into a local creek.

An aeration issue caused the Watergate Wastewater Treatment Plant to “not function properly,” the town said March 9, sending the partially treated sewage into 14 Mile Creek.

The town said it first became aware of the issue at about 4:30 p.m. on March 8.

A town spokesperson relayed to the Chronicle that while the initial projection to have the facility fixed was a few days, the issue at the plant proved to be one that couldn’t just be fixed overnight.

As of the early evening on March 20, the town said testing of the creek now shows the issue to be resolved, and the state Department of Health and Environmental Control has authorized the town to lift its advisory for people to avoid the affected area of the creek, which stretched from Reed Avenue to the Saluda River.

The town noted to the Chronicle that it has been working to decommission the Watergate plant, which it acquired in December 2020 from Blue Granite after being at odds with the company over environmental concerns at Blue Granite’s local treatment facilities. 

"The design plan is completed and we are nearing completion of easement and property acquisition necessary for building a pump station and related force main to tie into our system," the town said.

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