An estimated 500,000 gallons of sewage flowed into Little Allison Creek in Lake Wylie after a York County Utilities pump station lost power Monday evening, county officials said.
The Little Allison Creek Pump Station is equipped with a backup generator and an alarm system designed to alert staff to problems. Neither worked, according to a statement York County Utilities released Wednesday, because of a problem with wiring that supplies power to the pumps.
The overflow has stopped, the county said Tuesday. Officials said the only water safety guidance in effect covers the immediate area around the spill, and that no broader advisory has been issued for Lake Wylie.
What happened
York County notified the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) as soon as staff discovered the overflow, according to the county’s initial statement Tuesday. Utilities crews made repairs to the pump station their top priority.
“We deeply regret the incident, and apologize for the disruption to the area,” the county said in that statement.
In its Wednesday update, York County Utilities said it has opened an investigation into why the overflow occurred and is focused on correcting the equipment failures so the same thing does not happen again.
Cleanup and testing
The county said it followed SCDES protocols to clean up the affected area right away and will test the water for several days to confirm the cleanup is working.
A small number of residents living near the overflow site have been contacted directly, according to the county, and crews are posting signs in the area. York County said it will share any further guidance SCDES issues or recommends.
County points to its record
The Wednesday statement acknowledged that other utilities have had sewage problems affecting Lake Wylie recently. York County Utilities said it has not had a reportable sewage overflow in several years.
“We understand this incident has caused concerns and frustration,” the county said, adding that it is committed to fixing the problem.
Residents with questions about the overflow can contact York County Utilities. Updates on testing results and any change in water guidance will be posted as the county releases them.
Source: York County Utilities statements issued Oct. 27 and Oct. 28, 2026.
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Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place in column writing, education beat reporting and best podcast.
