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Route 97 sewer pump failures forced businesses to curtail water use; county blames disposable wipes for clogs
Summary
Commissioners outlined an overnight Route 97 sewer incident in which two pumps and alarms failed, filling a 28-foot wet well. Crews used vacuum pumps and tankers to clear debris and notified local businesses to curtail water while repairs were made.
County officials told the Richland County Board of Commissioners on March 31 that an overnight failure of two wastewater pumps and their alarms on the Route 97 corridor forced crews to curtail flows and notify nearby businesses.
"We have 2 wastewater pumps down there, and we have alarms connected to those," Commissioner Cliff Meares said. He told the board both pumps failed over the weekend and their alarms did not trigger; Amanda Miller, the wastewater treatment plant director, coordinated vacuum pumps, tankers and hands-on clearing of a 28-foot, 6-foot-diameter wet well.
Meares identified several businesses in the affected corridor that were asked to limit water use, including Der Dutchman, Love's, Donald's, Burger King and nearby hotels. He said crews removed large debris and that disposable wipes were a primary cause of the clogging: "What clogs up our... pumps more than anything are these disposable wipes that are supposed to be disposable, but really aren't," Meares said.
County staff said one pump was restored early the following morning after mechanical work in the wet well; alarm company technicians were scheduled to confirm alarms were functioning. Meares said he had been communicating with Mayor Brinkus in Belleville and the county's EMA used Everbridge to notify registered residents.
Officials said the wet well section will be replaced as part of a larger upgrade when the system is modernized. There was no immediate report of environmental releases to surface water; county crews prioritized emptying the well and restoring normal flows before the morning business day.
The board took no formal action during the report but said it will continue to assess proposals and the county's long-term infrastructure needs.
