Palmetto Wood Preserving

Overview

Palmetto Wood Preserving is a 5-acre former wood-treating facility in Dixiana, South Carolina. It operated from 1963 to 1985, and chemicals used in wood preservation spilled during that time, contaminating soil and groundwater. The EPA placed the site on the National Priorities List in 1984 and has worked alongside the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control throughout the cleanup.

Contaminants found in the soil and groundwater include arsenic, chromium, copper, pentachlorophenol, and 2,4-dinitrophenol. These substances were identified because they pose unacceptable risks to human health or the environment. Chromium in soil requires cleanup to a specific level, with dust inhalation by nearby residents being the main concern. Copper in the soil does not pose a health risk.

Cleanup has gone through several phases. In 1985, removal activities addressed the most urgent contamination. Between 1988 and 1989, about 12,700 cubic yards of contaminated soil were excavated, chemically treated, and solidified into 16 concrete structures buried on-site. A groundwater pump-and-treat system ran from 1997 to 2004. In 2008 and 2009, EPA switched to injecting nutrients to help naturally break down remaining contaminants. That system was decommissioned in October 2009 after groundwater met cleanup standards. Physical construction of the cleanup is complete for the entire site.

Nearby residents and businesses are connected to the public water supply and are not exposed to contaminated groundwater. Human exposure is currently under control. The sources note that institutional controls such as deed notices or use restrictions have not yet been fully put in place, though zoning restrictions are in place to prevent residential development. The most recent five-year review, completed in September 2022, confirmed the remedy protects human health and the environment. The next five-year review is expected between August and October 2027. South Carolina Electric and Gas owns the northern portion of the site and uses it for equipment storage.

Community members can stay involved through EPA outreach activities, including fact sheets, public notices, and public meetings. Site documents are available at the Lexington County Government Offices at 212 South Lake Drive, Lexington, South Carolina. Questions can be directed to the EPA staff assigned to the site.