Flooding, Sewage Spills Still Plaguing Mauldin, Simpsonville

If you're able to get home or avoid sewage spills in your neighborhood this week, count yourself lucky.

The recent heavy and persistent rainfalls continue to plague certain residents of both Mauldin and Simpsonville, according to authorities.

The American Red Cross on Wednesday re-opened its emergency shelter at the Mauldin First Baptist Church on South Main Street at the request of the city. Some residents who were hit by Monday's flooding have had to leave their homes, or are finding it difficult to access them.

The rains have also led to several sanitary sewer overflows. After two sewage line breaks in Mauldin earlier this week, and another on Wednesday, crews continue to make repairs to broken pipes.

Renewable Water Resources (ReWa) said one spill happened near Elkwood Street and South Miller Road, impacting the Little Gilder Creek, Gilder Creek and the Enoree River. A second spill happened at Laurel Creek near Elkwood Street in the Knollwood subdivision. 

And on Wednesday, ReWa reported a sanitary sewer overflow in the vicinity of Muirwood Drive in Mauldin, affecting Laurel Creek, the Reedy River and its tributaries. The volume of the spills was unavailable Wednesday from ReWa.

The lines broke when creek banks gave way due to the recent heavy rainfall, ReWa said.

ReWa crews are also handling a sewage spill at Gilder Creek in Simpsonville in the vicinity of Holland Road, ReWa reported. That spill also was the result of heavy, persistent rain.

Despite the spills, ReWa officials said that they are not affecting drinking water, but urged that residents avoid all contact with affected waterways in the spill areas. The utility said it continues to monitor the situations and is working to fix the problems.