Public Comments Due by 3/19th re Arsenic in Wateree River

Public Comment will be accepted on arsenic levels  from the coal plant in Lower Richland.  The same plant that DHEC recently permitted a 17 story high coal ash waste storage facility.  The same location that recently had a leak from one of it’s unlined storage ponds.

Help protect the citizens of Richland County.  PLEASE send comments to DHEC by March 19th.  Send comments via email to    vickermg@dhec.sc.gov

TO: SC DHEC

ATTN: Melinda Vickers

RE: NPDES #SC0002038

I am requesting the following additions to arsenic control at the SCE&G /Wateree Station:

1) Initial testing of all private drinking water & irrigation wells in vicinity and then monthly random monitoring of wells within a mile of the facility.

2) Fix existing seeps in ash ponds and implement weekly monitoring of ash ponds for new seeps.

3) Test quarterly for bio-accumulation of contaminants in fish.

4) Test quarterly for arsenic in sediment near river bank.

5) The ash ponds should be rebuilt and lined as soon as possible.

6) Treat landfill leachate to remove arsenic before routing to ponds.

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March 9, 2010   Posted in: ACTION ALERT, Environmental Concern, Public Hearing