South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control

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C.E. Taylor Site Information

Summary:

• Site has a land application permit to allow for application of septage, wastewater sludge and food service grease trap waste.
• The initial land application permit was issued to the C. E. Taylor Company in 1989.
• DHEC has an application under review for the reissuance of the land application permit.
• Because of elevated levels of nitrate in the on-site monitoring wells, DHEC sampled dozens of residential wells in the area around the site.  Four (4) private wells were found to have levels above the nitrate drinking water standard. DHEC had water filter systems installed on the homes served by these four wells. DHEC is continuing to evaluate issues related to these concerns.
• Prior to making a permit decision DHEC wanted to: a) Obtain additional groundwater data at the site; and, b) Obtain input from an outside expert who would evaluate the site and its management practices.
  • Groundwater:  DHEC planned and coordinated the installation of additional groundwater wells on the land application site to determine if there was a potential connection between the groundwater on-site with residential wells in the area.  The new groundwater data does not show a direct connection between residents’ well contamination and the site.
  • Outside input:  Dr. Virgil Quisenberry of Clemson University did an assessment of the site, evaluated the operational practices, and prepared and submitted a report for DHEC.  The report indicates the potential for the site to be successful if additional management practices are conducted.
• DHEC held community meetings in October 2010 and September 2011 to share site information concerning groundwater data and the status of the land application permit.
• At this time, a draft permit decision has not been made. When a draft permit decision is proposed, DHEC will have a 30-day public comment period during which a public hearing will be held for the proposed permit decision. During this time, all interested persons will have an opportunity to provide comments. DHEC will review these comments and will take into consideration all comments received before a permit decision is made.

Other information:

• Report by Dr. Quisenberry (Clemson University)
• Power Point Presentation on Groundwater Data from September 2011 meeting
• Map
• Contacts:
  • DHEC community liaison:  Karen Sprayberry, (803) 896-9730
  • DHEC permitting:  Jeff deBessonet (803) 898-4157
  • DHEC field office: 803-896-0620