Tega Cay residents reach out to feds about ongoing sewage spills

TEGA CAY, S.C. — Kelly Macaluso, Jolene Church and other members of the Tega Cay Water Citizen Advisory Council have years of documents detailing sewage problems they've experienced with Utilities Inc.

"I know they would not have their children and their families in this environment, I know they would not," Church said.

This week, another spill was reported on Heron Run Drive, just as South Carolina's Public Service Commission offered an update on its investigation into the ongoing issues that led the state to fine the company $60,000 and order it to implement a corrective action plan.

On Wednesday, the Public Service Commission of South Carolina issued a directive with an update on the investigation into the problems.

The state said so far the company has taken a number of corrective measures to include numerous excavations to create 24 water tight seals, installation of nearly 8,000 feet of cured-in-place pipe liner and inspections of over 7,000 linear feet of underwater pipe between the wastewater treatment plants and the discharge points in Lake Wylie.

After the three other sewage spills around Labor Day, the commission is also requiring the company to uphold its latest promise to make sure customer are notified by phone about spills and use historical data and other technology to help detect problems.

Residents think it's a slap on the wrist.

Church said, "Something has to be done. We're tired of hearing the same thing over and over."

Board member Kelly Macaluso added, "There just needs to be some kind of consequence. They could fine them; they could pull their permit until they take care of the problem."

The Advisory Committee told Channel 9 they are now reaching out to federal officials and consulting with attorneys to look at filing a lawsuit.

Channel 9 reached out to DHEC, the Office of Regulatory Staff and the state's Public Service Commission to find out if the state plans to take more extreme action against Utilities Inc.

Channel 9 also asked the company for a comment, but are still waiting to hear back.

To learn more about the advisory board's effort or to submit a complaint click here.

WSOC