News Summary
A sewer line overflow in Irmo’s Friarsgate neighborhood resulted from an abnormal accumulation of kitchen grease, causing concerns among residents. Blue Granite Water Company managed to restore normal flow within two hours. The town is considering taking over sewer services from Blue Granite while addressing longstanding infrastructure issues. Residents are urged to properly dispose of grease to prevent future incidents.
Big Mess in Irmo: Kitchen Grease Blamed for Sewer Line Overflow!
If you live in Irmo, you might have heard about a little incident that happened last Thursday night that left residents raising eyebrows and, of course, calling for action. A sewer line operated by Blue Granite Water Company decided it couldn’t take anymore and overflowed in the Friarsgate neighborhood. Yikes!
What Happened?
The overflow, which was confirmed by both the town of Irmo and Blue Granite (thank goodness someone’s keeping track), started flowing more than anyone would have liked. A local resident even posted a video online, captioning the footage to show sewage literally spilling into Rawls Creek. Talk about a messy situation! Although stressful, Blue Granite’s spokesperson assured folks that this overflow incident was “very small.” Small or not, it’s still enough to get people talking—and not in a good way.
Cause of the Overflow
So, what caused the fiasco? It turns out that the overflow stemmed from an “abnormal accumulation of kitchen grease” that decided it would take a permanent vacation in a manhole. Seriously, kitchen grease is not meant to go down the drain. Experts have been preaching this for ages, and it looks like this incident is just another reminder.
Clara Thomas, the communications director for Blue Granite, shared that their after-hours crew worked diligently and restored normal flow within two short hours. Not only that, but they didn’t just fix the issue—they also rolled up their sleeves for some extra maintenance. They cleaned and disinfected the area and even performed some preventive maintenance to keep this from happening again in the future.
What Next?
Blue Granite reported the incident to the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services. However, they couldn’t immediately confirm if any sewage runoff made its way into a waterway. Residents were encouraged to watch for any issues and report them to customer service, keeping the lines of communication open is always a good idea in these situations.
To add your two cents, Blue Granite is urging everyone to toss their kitchen grease in the trash. Those leftover oils and fats? Nope, they don’t belong in your kitchen sink! The more we all pitch in, the smoother our sewer systems will run.
Irmo’s Sewer Service Overhaul?
Amid all this, there’s also some news brewing on the town’s political front. The town of Irmo is considering taking over sewer services from Blue Granite. This is a hot button for residents, especially since many are unhappy with sewer charges which aren’t based on volume usage. Some in town feel it’s high time for a change, and a council vote regarding a $30,000 feasibility study has been deferred until they can find the cash flow to cover it.
Mayor Barry Walker hinted at the possibility of using potential COVID-19 relief funds to cover the costs, with Irmo in line to receive up to $4.6 million. It seems that the town wants to ensure a more reliable and efficient sewer system for residents—definitely a step in the right direction. However, the final decision has been postponed until April 20 as they explore various funding options.
Weather Woes and Aging Infrastructure
Now let’s toss in a little extra drama. Heavy rainfall and flooding in the area have put additional pressure on sewage management. Residents are concerned about sewage spills into the Saluda River and surrounding areas, raising alarms about aging infrastructure and treatment plant issues that need to be addressed.
So keep your eyes peeled, folks! The situation in Irmo is evolving. Be responsible with your kitchen grease, and let’s hope the town gets their sewer services sorted out soon. Because nobody wants an overflow ruining their day or their neighborhood!
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Additional Resources
- The State: Big Mess in Irmo
- Wikipedia: Sewage
- Post and Courier: Irmo Sewer Service
- Google Search: Sewage Management
- The State: Environmental Concerns
- Google Scholar: Sewage Overflow
- The State: Community Issues
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Environmental Pollution
- The State: Infrastructure Updates
- Google News: Sewage Infrastructure
