SCDHEC on Lookout for Illegal Dumping

In the wake of recent discoveries of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at three Upstate publicly-owned treatment works, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (“SCDHEC”) is working with the United States Environmental Protection Agency to investigate illegal dumping. Specifically, PCBs were discovered in the wastewater collection systems of Renewable Water Resources, which serves much of Greenville County, the Spartanburg Sanitary Sewer District, and the Town of Lyman. Although authorities have discovered no adverse impact to human health or the environment, they are determined to find the sources of the contamination and stamp out illegal dumping into sewer lines. SCDHEC is urging anyone who observes illegal discharges into a manhole to call 911 immediately or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-864-23-CRIME, which is 1-864-232-7463. SCDHEC also requests that any other tips or information that may be helpful in identifying the sources of the PCBs be made to SCDHEC’s toll-free 24-hour emergency response line at 1-888-481-0125.