Sewer overflowed into Saluda River for hours, SC officials say

Sewage spilled into a major river in the Columbia area for hours Saturday night, officials said.

The city of West Columbia sent out an alert to the public about a sewer overflow impacting the Lower Saluda River, according to the Congaree Riverkeeper.

The sanitary sewer overflow was reported near Edgewater Lane in the Saluda River, the alert said. That’s in the area near Riverbanks Zoo & Garden.

A blockage of a gravity sewer line caused the spill, West Columbia officials said.

The city’s maintenance staff identified the overflow had entered the Saluda River at 5 p.m., according to the alert that was sent at 8 p.m. There was no word when sewage might have begun spilling into the river.

Officials said city crews restored flow within the system, according to the alert.

Information about the amount of sewage that spilled into the river was not available.

There was no word on possible cleanup efforts, and no warnings have been issued about swimming or fishing in the area.