Parties weigh-in on future of wastewater in the Saluda River

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — After taking major heat Tuesday night, DHEC thanked the public for showing up, and speaking up. “We’re going to be considering each and every comment during our deliberations,” DHEC spokesman Jim Beasley says. About 300 people packed into a public hearing, to demand the agency put a stop to allowing Carolina Water Service to discharge into the Saluda River. Beasley says denying the permit is one of three options. The other two are approving the permit as is, or approving it with changes based off your input. Beasley says this new permit sets higher standards for CWS. He points to 35% tougher requirements for oxygen depleting pollutants “We feel that that’s definitely good enough for the aquatic life in the Saluda River and downstream in the Congaree.” DHEC says it’s issued CWS eight violations in the past 4 1/2 years, which means they’ve let the company know when samples come back over the permitted limits. “However, none of these violations has risen to a level of enforcement at this point,” Beasley says. CWS is owned by an Illinois-based company, Utilities Inc. The company did not want to answer specific questions, instead sending ABC Columbia a statement. It reads in part, “The I-20 wastewater facility discharges treated outflow to the Saluda River that regularly meets or exceeds its permit parameters.” The statement also mentions what should be an easy fix. It’s actually what DHEC is encouraging. “We maintain the position that Carolina Water Service should hook into the regional water system that is operated by the Town of Lexington,” Beasley says. DHEC does not have the authority to make it happen, but Lexington does. “You know, the town of Lexington is the key to solving their problem,” Lexington mayor Steve MacDougall says. The key is a sewer line about 100 yards away from the plant. “The town of Lexington is certainly open to the conversation and getting back to the table and negotiating a solution for Carolina Water,” MacDougall says. CWS says it’s tried to tie in multiple times. The company sent ABC Columbia a letter, referencing its latest attempt on March 21st of 20-14. They also included a response from Lexington on May 8th, which states the town is not interested. “It has to be good for everyone,” MacDougall says. “It was just not good for the Town of Lexington, what they were expecting for us to do.” MacDougall says the two could not reach a deal. “It all revolves around the dollar, so it’s why it fell apart” Lexington shares a brand-new water treatment plant with Cayce. MacDougall says it has a 33-million gallon capacity. They’re only using two-million gallons. He says they’ve got the space, and they want to get this done. “We are waiting to hear from Carolina Water.” But they can’t set anything in stone until DHEC makes its recommendation. DHEC could not give ABC Columbia an exact date on when staff will make their recommendation to the agency’s board. Though Jim Beasley did say it will take time to go through all the feedback they’ve gotten. You can still get your comments to DHEC. Find the contact information in the following link: http://www.scdhec.gov/Environment/WaterQuality/NPDES/CarolinaWater/