Charleston Water settles West Ashley sewer overflow case
(UI) — Charleston Water System has reached a settlement aimed at reducing sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) in West Ashley, committing to accelerated repairs, expanded inspections and new public notification measures designed to limit bacteria discharges into the Ashley River.
Under the agreement, Charleston Water will increase inspection, assessment and repair of its sewer collection system to address leaks and defects that contribute to overflows during heavy rainfall and flooding events. The settlement also establishes a faster timeline for corrective work in areas with repeated overflow activity.
BACKGROUND: Charleston Water System faces lawsuit over “significant” sanitary sewer overflows
The agreement includes expanded public transparency requirements, including regular progress reporting and a new notification system that will alert residents in real time when active sewer overflows occur. The alerts are intended to inform the public of potential exposure risks tied to bacteria and pathogens.
In addition to system-level repairs, Charleston Water agreed to make funding available to help reduce the financial burden on homeowners who may need to replace leaking private sewer laterals, which can contribute to overflow conditions.
The settlement resolves long-standing concerns related to sewer performance in West Ashley and is intended to improve water quality, reduce public health risks and provide clearer communication to residents about sewer system conditions and overflow events.
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