Keeping Laurens County Clean – Update on Possible Wastewater Evaporation Facility

The news broke here on the BUZZ Monday that there is a permit pending with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) for a hauled wastewater receiving and evaporation facility at 13233 Highway 56 North, near Clinton.

A meeting of nearby property owners and concerned Laurens County residents was held on Tuesday, evening at the Clinton House.  More than 130 attended the meeting including local and state representatives.  The purpose of the meeting was to convey what information was known about the proposed facility and discuss questions and concerns.

And it seems like there is much to be concerned about. Some of the questions raised at the meeting include:

• What kind of odor can the residents and town/city of Clinton expect?
• How far will this smell spread? What is the non-hazardous material being brought in?
• The current containers on the property: are they clean or dirty? When they are washed where does that wastewater go?
• Is it contained and trucked off?
• During the Evaporation process what type of chemicals will be released into the air?
• Why is H2O Blue requesting an amendment to the 208 Water Act?

Two members of the county’s state delegation, Representatives Doug Gilliam and Stewart Jones, attended the meeting. “I share the concerns of many who attended the public meeting organized by concerned citizens,” said SC Representative Stewart Jones. “I am requesting that DHEC suspend the permit process and potentially deny the permit until these concerns can be addressed.”

The list of questions and concerns is growing and we need answers.

A Facebook page, Keep Laurens County Clean, was created to share information and provide updates to those who are interested.  Email updates will also be sent to those who attended the meeting on Tuesday and others who sign up.  If you have questions or concerns, or wish to receive updates, please email [email protected].

Here is what YOU can do…. reach out to the DHEC contact, Mr. Randy Thompson, DHEC Bureau of Water, to let him know that you as a resident of Laurens County have serious concerns about the proposed wastewater and evaporation facility being considered in Laurens County. Please be professional and respectful in your remarks. Mr. Thompson’s contact information is [email protected] and (803)898-4314.

The more people who call or email Mr. Thompson to express their concerns, the more likely they will schedule a public meeting to address our concerns.  Responding to an email today Mr. Thompson said, “I believe it is very likely that DHEC will be holding a public meeting and/or hearing in the community. We are in the initial stages of planning that meeting and/or hearing. I think it is also likely we will be extending the public comment period.”