It’s been just over a week since a chemical spill at the Summerville Wastewater Treatment Plant sent an employee of the facility to the hospital.

According to the Summerville News, the treatment plant off Red Oak Road was put on lock-down after a strong odor was detected in the plant around 3:00 that afternoon.

Employees said they experienced burning and swelling of the eyes and were quickly told to leave the building; after about an hour the smell dissipated – however, at that point, system operators noticed a “foam” coming into the system.

Plant Superintendent Chris Tuggle said that the chemical causing the problem did not come from the plant itself.

The one employee who required medical attention was treated and released from a nearby medical facility.

City Manager Russell Thompson said that the matter remains under investigation but so far they’ve had no luck in determining the source of the problem.

(Summerville News/www.thesummervillenews.com)