Lexington closes small sewage disposal plant

Another source of sewage disposal into the lower Saluda River ended when Lexington closed a small facility last week.

The move sends 1 million gallons of sewage daily to a regional network flowing into what officials call a state-of-the-art treatment plant the town operates in partnership with Cayce.

State environmental officials pressed for the change, saying the shuttered plant was outdated and didn’t prevent spills into a creek that flows into the river.

New lines allowing the connection to the regional network were put in last summer.

The closed facility served neighborhoods in the center of the steadily growing town of an estimated 20,000 residents.

Outdoor sports groups are pressing to reduce more of the half dozen facilities allowed to put treated sewage in the river, especially one operated by Carolina Water Service.