Officials Speak Out Against CWS Permit Renewal

[gtxvideo vid=”jzFvRNHr” playlist=”” pid=”rkijshg2″ thumb=”http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/jzFvRNHr.jpg” vtitle=”saluda river”]

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — Elected officials on both sides of the aisle echoing a sentiment expressed by more than 250 residents at a recent DHEC hearing. “No, no to a new renewal of a permit for Carolina Water Service.” “Please deny this permit.” “We encourage DHEC to deny this permit” “Opposition to this permit.” “Lets deny that permit and lets protect what we have here.” Protection that comes in the form of DHEC denying the renewal of a permit which allows Carolina Water Service to discharge into the Saluda River. “A permit in South Carolina is a privilege not a right, it was decided by the South Carolina Supreme Court many years ago they have abrogated their privilege for over 16 years the amount of violations they have incurred is absolutely unconscionable.” But In a statement released by C-W-S the company says they take environmental compliance very seriously and that the outflow from the I-20 wastewater facility “regularly meets or exceeds its permit parameters.” Additionally, the company says it has twice attempted an interconnection of its I-20 system with the Town of Lexington only to be refused by the Public Service Commission. While at odds over the permit permit renewal, hooking into the regional water system is a solution that all three parties seem to agree on. and that state and local leaders are determined to make happen. “What we’re looking at is the possibility of saying you’re going to have to tie on. There is no decision making at DHEC’s level because if they extend this permit in my mind they’ve abdicated their responsibility to protect the public’s environment but also the customers being served by this system” For now, DHEC continues to work towards a decision to renew and revise or deny the permit but say they support the elimination of the I-20 plant.