Water and pollution know no boundaries. What happens in one area affects us all. A prime example is the Stoney Creek community, located just outside the Town of Bluffton’s limits near Palmetto Bluff. As Bluffton’s mayor and a property owner in this community, I’m reaching out to ask property owners in that community to help protect the May River by signing up for Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority’s (BJWSA) sanitary sewer service.
Thanks to a multimillion-dollar grant, BJWSA has the funds to connect Stoney Creek residents to the sewer system, transitioning households from septic tanks. This connection is available at no cost to homeowners.
The protection of the May River is at stake. This river is central to Bluffton’s heritage, recreation, and way of life.
Why this matters
For years, the Town of Bluffton has conducted microbial tests on the May River, and the results near Stoney Creek are alarming. These tests detected human fecal coliform in the river’s headwaters, which has been directly linked to failing septic systems. These stagnant headwaters lack the natural currents needed to flush away contaminants, making them especially vulnerable.
The Town has explored various methods to clean up the contamination, but the only effective, long-term solution is for residents to connect to a sanitary sewer system.
The impact on the river
The consequences of inaction are significant. Over the years, the South Carolina Department of Environmental Sciences (formerly known as the Department of Health and Environmental Control, or DHEC) has closed oyster harvesting sites, and continued pollution could further harm the river’s health.
The solution
Thanks to a $6 million grant from the South Carolina Infrastructure Investment Program, and additional contributions from BJWSA, the Town of Bluffton, and Beaufort County, Stoney Creek residents can now connect to the sewer system at no cost. This connection could save families tens of thousands of dollars in future expenses, especially as new septic systems might not be approved in areas where sewer is available.
To date, about half of the property owners in Stoney Creek have signed up for this free connection. Understandably, some may view a new monthly water bill as an inconvenience. However, the cost of maintaining or replacing a failing septic system can easily reach thousands of dollars, potentially making homes unsellable or even unlivable. Connecting to the sewer system now not only safeguards your property value but also helps protect the river that defines our community.
BJWSA is still honoring the full incentive program and is able to waive select fees before construction begins. If you know someone in the Stoney Creek community, please encourage them to sign up.
For more information, contact BJWSA project manager Beth Lowther at (843) 540-7494, email Go2Sewer@bjwsa.org, or visit Go2Sewer.org.
The Town of Bluffton invests millions each year in stormwater and watershed management, but we can’t protect the May River without everyone’s help. Participation in this program is essential to preserving the river for future generations.
Thank you for your commitment to safeguarding the health of the May River and ensuring our way of life continues.
