2025 Sewer Spill Report
Since 2013 we have published an annual sewer spill report for Congaree Riverkeeper's jurisdictional area, which includes the Lower Saluda, Lower Broad, and Congaree Rivers, and their tributaries. In 2025 there were more than 100 reported sanitary sewer overflows (SSO's) totaling more than seven million gallons of sewage spilled in our watershed.
This report was compiled using data from the SCDES Sewer Overflow Database, public notifications, and communications with local sewer providers.
Sewer overflows are a serious water quality concern. They can contaminate waterways and create both ecological and public health issues. River users who are exposed to sewer overflows may experience health problems including infections, rashes, and gastrointestinal issues.
2025 Sewer Spill Summary
| PERMITTEE | # of Spills | Volume of Spills (Gallons) | % of Reported Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOWN OF LEXINGTON | 17 | 7,164,429 | 91.51% |
| CITY OF COLUMBIA | 66 | 549,005 | 7.01% |
| CITY OF CAYCE | 4 | 87,000 | 1.11% |
| CITY OF WEST COLUMBIA | 2 | 18,200 | 0.23% |
| EAST RICHLAND COUNTY PUBLIC SERVICE DISTRICT | 5 | 4,136 | 0.05% |
| SOUTH CAROLINA WATER UTILITIES - ALPINE AND SYNERGY/BUSH RIVER WWTPs | 10 | 3,950 | 0.05% |
| RICHLAND COUNTY UTILITIES | 1 | 2,000 | 0.03% |
| TOTAL | 105 | 7,828,720 | 100% |
The more than 7.8 million gallons of sewage spilled makes 2025 one of the worst years for sewer spills in the 13 years we've published this report.
The chart below shows 2025 as the worst year for overall volume of reported spills, but, as we have pointed out in previous reports, identifying spills and estimating volumes can be very difficult during flood events. So while previous years like 2015 and 2024 likely had higher than reported totals, last year was certainly still one of the worst, and by any measure an incredibly bad year for sewer spills.
Approximately 74% of the total volume of sewage spilled last year was caused by one event, the Town of Lexington's August 8th pump station failure that spilled 5.76 million gallons of sewage into Twelve and Fourteen mile creeks, tributaries to the Lower Saluda River.
Several of the other larger spills of the year, including another 1.3 million gallon spill from the Town of Lexington, were related to a significant rain event on May 12th that dropped several inches of rain across the Midlands in a short period of time.
All of these spills emphasize the need for regular maintenance and upgrades of our local sewer systems. Sewer infrastructure is often buried underground or tucked away, but just because it is out of sight doesn't mean it can be ignored. Sewer providers must invest in regular and ongoing maintenance and must design and update their systems to withstand more frequent and more damaging rainfall and flood events.
Top 10 Reported Sewer Spills
| Date | Permittee | Spill Volume (Gallons) | Location / Receiving Water | Notes / Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 8, 2025 | TOWN OF LEXINGTON | 5,760,000 | 12/14 MILE CREEK VIA TRIBUTARY | Pump station failure |
| May 12, 2025 | TOWN OF LEXINGTON | 1,288,906 | 12/14 MILE CREEKS | Multiple spills, extreme rainfall event |
| May 9, 2025 | CITY OF COLUMBIA | 350,000 | REEDER POINT BRANCH | Pump station failure |
| Jan. 31, 2025 | CITY OF COLUMBIA | 48,694 | SWAMP (CRANE CREEK) | Blockage in the gravity sewer line |
| May 24, 2025 | CITY OF CAYCE | 47,500 | CONGAREE RIVER | Forcemain failure |
| April 25, 2025 | CITY OF COLUMBIA | 35,627 | SWAMP FEEDING CRANE CREEK | Blockage in the gravity sewer line |
| Aug. 21, 2025 | CITY OF CAYCE | 27,000 | CONGAREE CREEK | Blockage in the gravity sewer line |
| Nov. 22, 2025 | CITY OF COLUMBIA | 21,200 | Pond feeding Rawls Creek | Contractors conducting maintenance activity appear to have caused this overflow by hitting a sewer main. |
| May 12, 2025 | CITY OF WEST COLUMBIA | 18,000 | Senn Branch | |
| May 12, 2025 | CITY OF COLUMBIA | 14,358 | UNNAMED TRIBUTARY TO SALUDA RIVER | Extended wet weather |
May 12th Sewer Overflow in West Columbia
SSO Hotspots
12 Mile and 14 Mile Creeks
These creeks, tributaries to the Lower Saluda River, were impacted by the Town of Lexington's two largest sewer spills.
Reeder Point Branch
The City of Columbia's largest spill in 2025 impacted Reeder Point Branch, a tributary to Mill Creek and eventually the Congaree River. This creek has experienced at least one major spill every year for the last the last 6 years. The City of Columbia even experienced another spill impacting Reeder Point Branch this January.
Important Notes
- This report only represents the reported sanitary sewer overflows within the Congaree Riverkeeper jurisdictional area. Several sewer providers in the Midlands had spills that impacted other waterbodies outside of our jurisdiction. For example, the Town of St. Matthews spilled more than 500,000 gallons into a tributary to Lake Marion, the Town of Chapin spilled more than 120,000 gallons into Lake Murray, and the Town of Lexington spilled more than 80,000 gallons into Lake Murray (in addition to the spills listed above).
- Most sewer providers are only required to report spills that are more than 500 gallons, or that impact a waterbody.
- This report also only accounts for sewer overflows that were reported to SCDES, or that we had information about. Some sewer providers and satellite sewer systems experience spills but fail to report the information to SCDES and/or the public.
Past Reports
Click the links to view the past reports from
2023 and
2024.
