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Saluda lift station spills 88k gallons of wastewater into tributary

SALUDA—Last Thursday’s heavy rains caused 88,594 gallons of untreated wastewater to spill in Saluda. 

The area received at least 7.5 inches of rain last Wednesday and Thursday that caused widespread flooding and road closures. The area also experienced two snows in a little over a week, with one surprise snow that caused schools to dismiss early on Friday, Jan. 31 and another snow on Saturday, Feb. 8. Neither snow storm resulted in any accumulation. 

City of Saluda officials said on Thursday, the Laurel Drive lift station spilled over for approximately 11 hours. 

“The untreated wastewater entered an unnamed tributary to Cove Creek in the Broad River Basin,” Saluda City Manager Jonathan Cannon said. “The lift station was overwhelmed by inflow from storm water. Pump trucks were dispatched and pumped all day to reduce discharge volumes.” 

The wet weather pattern for the foothills continues this week with rain beginning on Monday and continuing through much of the week. 

Polk County’s forecast for the week included rain Monday and Monday night at a 90 percent chance with up to 2.5 inches possible; Tuesday rain at a 90 percent chance during the day with less than 2 inches possible; Wednesday rain after 11 a.m. at a 70 percent chance and showers Wednesday night at an 80 percent chance; Thursday also calls for showers at an 80 percent chance of showers, then the temperature is forecast to drop Thursday night to 33 degrees. Friday there is no rain forecast but the high temperature will be 48 degrees, then Friday night the low temperature is 28 degrees. 

Rain is forecast to come back Saturday and Sunday with lower chances than the rest of the week at 30 and 60 percent respectively.