Florence Residents Raise Concerns Over Recurring Wastewater Overflow

Overflowing Sewer Threatens Local Quality of Life

A group of residents in Florence, living along Effies Lane, have raised concerns over the persistent problem of wastewater overflow from a nearby manhole. The inhabitants have reported that they are frequently dealing with this issue, and are calling for a more permanent solution.

Seeking Help from the City Leaders

Locals claim to have repeatedly contacted city leaders in search of a solution, but only seem to ever receive a temporary fix. Leading the campaign is resident Jimmy Pettigrew, who has been living in the area for over three years. According to Pettigrew, he has witnessed the wastewater overflow enough times, he could count them on his hands…and then some.

Pettigrew’s persistence in seeking a solution escalated during Tropical Storm Debby when the wastewater issue surfaced again. Struggling with the relentless problem, he felt compelled to seek more answers from officials.

City’s Response

Florence City Manager, Scotty Davis, was contacted, stating that he was unaware of any consistent overflow in the area but acknowledged that it does not discount the residents’ claims. He added that due to the effects of Tropical Storm Debby, a significant infiltration of stormwater into the sewer system had occurred leading to the sewer back-ups.

Visible Signs of Sewage Spillage

Community members have described the sight of toilet paper floating down their streets – a clear sign of the issue that is plaguing their neighborhood. To make matters worse, the overflow is not only seen during or after a storm, but it seems to occur randomly, puzzling locals about the root cause of the issue.

Repercussions of Recurring Wastewater

Pettigrew voiced his frustrations about the impact of the persistent wastewater overflow in their local community, sharing his concerns about the unpleasant smell and the clear lack of sanitation. He is hopeful that a proper investigation into this ongoing issue would lead to a permanent solution.

“It doesn’t necessarily have to be a storm or rain for it to happen. At times we just start noticing water piling up on top of the manhole cover, sending a clear sign that there’s something wrong. It is very frustrating to smell the sewer stench in what is otherwise a nice neighborhood,” noted Pettigrew.

The Call For a Concrete Solution

Neighbors are now questioning the effectiveness of the work carried out by the city maintenance teams and are calling for a review of the procedures. They suspect a deeper-rooted issue that is not being addressed, which has led to the constant recurrence. Florence City Manager Davis has committed to deploying teams to examine the situation on Effies Lane and investigate the root causes of the wastewater overflow.