Deny the renewal permit for C.E. Taylor Pumping, Inc. in Lexington , SC

We, the undersigned, object to renewal of the C.E. Taylor waste site permit in Lexington County, SC and we urge the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) to require immediate closure and clean-up of this site due to the current groundwater contamination problem.  Further, we urge DHEC to conduct a public hearing on the proposed renewal permit to gather community input in the permitting process.
 
There is documented evidence of nitrate levels in monitoring wells and neighbors' drinking water wells exceeding the legal groundwater limits of 10 mg per liter near the C.E. Taylor site, a waste disposal site in Pelion, SC.  Files at DHEC show years of the site's failure to comply with the state permit that the C.E. Taylor disposal site was issued over twenty years ago. 

Further, DHEC files show instances of improper dumping at the site, references to pools of waste standing in the field (overnight at times), no cover crop to absorb waste on half of the fields, complaints about routine and powerful odors and flies at the site, over-application of waste by the company--even instances when DHEC shut down waste application on parts of the site where high well readings showed over-application of waste.

Although residents complained 21 years ago when the company initially applied to discharge human waste and grease (dumped on fields in their community), state regulators (DHEC) approved plans for a sewage disposal site and assured residents the waste wouldn't hurt the environment. Now, the same agency that approved the sewage dump site is working to investigate the source of high levels of nitrates from spreading in groundwater while considering renewing C.E. Taylor's permit!

Records show nitrates present in the groundwater beneath the C.E. Taylor sewage disposal grounds. Nitrate levels have increased steadily for much of this decade.  This year, unsafe levels of the contaminant were discovered in private wells that serve nearby homes. Excessive levels of nitrates can kill infants who drink baby formula made with contaminated water, among other health concerns.

DHEC approved the initial permit for this facility over the objection of local residents in 1989 and has never fined the company, although the company has had several serious violations to their permit. The agency, (DHEC), is considering a new permit to continue the operation. 

We urge DHEC to DENY renewal,  require closure and clean-up of the site, and provide clean drinking water for local residents who have nitrates in their private wells through the installation and maintenance of water filters, compensation, health monitoring, and care for neighbors with contaminated wells.

Please tell DHEC that you are opposed to the renewal of this permit that will allow the Taylor operation to keep discharging waste and further exacerbate the pollution problem in the area!  Tell DHEC officials not to bow to political pressure from polluters and their friends!