UPDATE: As of Sept. 6, test results show bacteria levels in the water have returned to naturally occurring levels.
DARLINGTON, SC (WBTW) – Darlington County officials were investigating a sewage spill near the Darlington Raceway off Race Track Road Friday morning.
Darlington County Emergency Management Coordinator Molly Odom confirms first responders are at the site where the sewage was spilled, but could not speak to an exact source for the sewage. The Darlington County Sheriff’s Office will work to keep the sewage from spreading, Odom confirms.
Lt. Robert Kilgo with the sheriff’s office says the sewage was found in two privately owned ponds off Race Track Road and it is believed a porta john service company dumped about 700 gallons of human sewage in the ponds.
The pond where the sewage was dumped is within half a mile of the Darlington Raceway, and with Labor Day Weekend hosting the Bojangle’s 500 on Sunday, there are many visitors who will break tradition.
Earl Deal is visiting from Indiana for race. He tailgates at the pond every year because it is so close to the track.
“Shame on the people who let it leak. It’s an environmental issue,” says Deal.
Darlington County Fire Chief Ricky Flowers says a neighbor in the area contacted the sheriff’s office about the smell.
“Some sewage had been poured out into private ponds. We put out some devices to control and keep it from spreading any further,” explains Flowers.
Officials with DHEC and United Site Services tested the water Friday morning after debris was cleared from the pond. It’s unclear when the results of those tests will be released.
