Reports
Annual Sewer Spill Reports
For the last twelve years 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, using data from DHEC's Sewer Overflow Database as well as other spills we investigated. In 2024 there were more than 100 reported sanitary sewer overflows (SSO's) totaling well over a million gallons of sewage spilled in our watershed. Sewer overflows can contaminate waterways and impact water quality, creating both ecological and public health issues. River users who are exposed to sewer overflows may experience health problems including infections, rashes, and gastrointestinal issues.
For the last eleven years we have compiled an annual sewer spill report for Congaree Riverkeeper's jurisdictional area (which includes the Lower Saluda, Lower Broad, and Congaree Rivers, and their tributaries) using data from DHEC's Sewer Overflow Database . In 2023 there were 114 reported sanitary sewer overflows (SSO's) totaling 4,190,509 gallons of sewage spilled in our watershed. This is a very significant increase from previous years. Sewer overflows can contaminate waterways and impact water quality, creating both ecological and public health issues. River users who are exposed to sewer overflows may experience health problems including infections, rashes, and gastrointestinal issues.
For the last decade we have reviewed the data from DHEC's Sewer Overflow Database to compile an annual sewer spill report for Congaree Riverkeeper's jurisdictional area (this includes the Lower Saluda, Lower Broad, and Congaree Rivers, and their tributaries). In 2022 there were 118 reported sanitary sewer overflows (SSO's) totaling 369,612 gallons of sewage spilled in our watershed. This is a significant reduction from the last few years. Sewer overflows can contaminate waterways and impact water quality, creating both ecological and public health issues. River users who are exposed to sewer overflows may experience health problems including infections, rashes, and gastrointestinal issues.
Water Quality Reports
On March 30th and 31st we conducted our regular water quality sampling at river and stream sites across the Midlands.
Water quality results from January 2020.
On July 22nd and 23rd, Congaree Riverkeeper collected our regular water quality samples from local rivers and streams. Two urban stream sites, Gills Creek and Smith Branch, showed elevated bacteria levels (above the state standard of 349).
On May 28th and 29th we collected our regular water quality samples from local rivers and streams. While all the river samples were well below the state standard for contact recreation of 349/100 mL, our urban stream samples told a different story. Three sites, Smith Branch, Rocky Branch, and 12 Mile Creek showed elevated bacteria levels. These urban streams have had multiple exceedences over the last several years of sampling. It has been pretty dry lately, so these exceedences are not likely related to stormwater runoff. Other possible sources of bacteria include wildlife, sewer overflows, illicit connections, and failing septic systems.
Earlier this month we collected our regular water quality samples from local rivers and streams.
On January 29th and 30th we conducted our first round of water quality monitoring in the new year. Only one site, Smith Branch, had results above the state standard for contact recreation of 349/100 mL.
On November 28th and 29th we conducted our final round of water quality monitoring for the year. None of the results were above the state standard for contact recreation of 349/100 mL.
In late September we conducted our regular water quality monitoring at 10 river and stream sites across the Midlands. Two of the sample results, Stoops Creek, and Smith Branch exceeded the state standard for contact recreation of 349 per 100 ml.
On July 24th and 25th we collected water quality samples at our 10 river and stream sites across the Midlands. Four of the sample results, Gills Creek, Rocky Branch, Stoops Creek, and 12 Mile Creek exceeded the state standard for contact recreation of 349 per 100 ml.
On May 22nd and 23rd we collected water quality samples at 9 of our 10 river and stream sites across the Midlands (we were also unable to sample the Congaree River site because of high water).
