TIMMONSVILLE, S.C. — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) announced a settlement with the Town of Timmonsville and city of Florence, S.C., to resolve drinking water and sewer problems, according to a press release.
The proposed settlement, set forth in a consent decree, will resolve Timmonsville’s liability for violations of the Clean Water Act (CWA), South Carolina Pollution Control Act (SCPCA) and South Carolina Safe Drinking Water Act (SC SDWA), noted the release.
Timmonsville has indicated that it has no capital to contribute to the short- and long-term fixes of the drinking water and sewer systems, estimated to cost approximately $12 million.
On June 25, 2013, the citizens of Timmonsville approved a referendum measure authorizing the transfer of the systems to Florence, stated the release.
The proposed consent decree facilitates the transfer and requires that Florence implement measures to bring the systems into compliance.
“The inadequacy of Timmonsville’s drinking water and sewer systems have posed a threat to public health and the environment,” said Stan Meiburg, acting regional administrator for the EPA in the Southeast. “The transfer to Florence and the improvements required under the consent decree will result in tremendous benefits to the surrounding rural community and the Sparrow Swamp/Lynches River watershed.”
Read the entire press release here.
