SCE&G responds to landfill issue

SCE&G responds to landfill issue By Joshua Cruse Joshua.Cruse@newberry.edu

In response to a previous story in The Columbia Star, SCE&G has released details about the landfill it is constructing to dispose of the ash wastes that are produced from its generating plant on the Wateree River. The landfill project has been a hot button issue with local residents because of it being a potential contamination issue with the water to being an eyesore for the residents.

Eric Boomhower, manager of the SCE&G Public Affairs, said, "The liner for the landfill will consist of two feet of clay liner overlain with a geosynthetic clay liner (GCLs). These are high performance environmental liners manufactured with durable high strength synthetic materials."

According to Boomhower, the synthetic liner has a high resistance to physical and chemical breakdown in harsh environments. DHEC regulations require the landfill to have a two- foot separation with the groundwater table. SCE&G's landfill has an average of eight feet between the bottom of the landfill and the groundwater table. A leachate collection system will be in place to keep chemicals from leaking from the landfill into the groundwater. This groundwater monitoring plan was designed by a S.C.- licensed geologist, said Boomhower.

To satisfy any concerns about contamination, SCE&G will double the frequency in which it monitors the cleaning system. It will also increase the number of wells from what was originally asked.

Boomhower promises the landfill will also be at least 1,400 feet from any land owned by local residents. It will be buffered by trees and other foliage to limit the visual exposure of the landfill. Currently, the landfill is in the initial phase of construction.

"Future phases will be constructed as necessary to provide ash storage capacity in support of electrical generation activities," Boomhower said.

Another concern is the two ash ponds near the SCE&G facility contaminating the Wateree River. Boomhower said there has been one documented case of contamination in the the ponds, however, it was quickly fixed. The pond is lined with clay, something that has some residents concerned.

Boomhower said, "Clay is actually an excellent choice because of its natural ability to impede liquid flow and to self heal cracks or tears produced by external forces. This meets regulatory permeability requirements. Also, clay liners have a natural ability to capture or sequester dissolved meals in water." The pond also has a cleaning system that, to date, hasn't yielded any cases involving contaminated water in the Wateree River.

Both the pond and the landfill have been issues local residents say they were not informed about. However, Boomhower says that is not the case. He said a notice was published in a newspaper and mailed to property owners near the plant and anyone who asked to be notified. This notice identified the location where the residents could go to review the permit for the landfill. Boomhower also said the public was provided a period of time to review this draft and submit any comments they had to DHEC.

"We held two public meetings to answer questions, provided tours of the Wateree Station on three occasions, and formed the Environmental Future Watch, which is a group made up of residents from both Eastover and Gadsden who meet with SCE&G officials on a regular basis."

Boomhower said SCE&G's attempts to meet with the residents of the community and SCE&G's ability to keep local officials informed has been well received.