Myrtle Beach Residents Alarmed by Toxic Contamination in Drinking Water Sources

Myrtle Beach Residents Face New Water Quality Concerns

Hey Myrtle Beach, we’ve got some concerning news that might be on your mind. According to a recent lawsuit, a former textile mill has been found to have contaminated our beloved Waccamaw River and the Intracoastal Waterway with what are being referred to as “forever chemicals.” Yikes! These chemicals, known scientifically as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), are being linked to possible health dangers for more than 115,000 customers who depend on the Grand Strand Water and Sewer Authority for drinking water.

The Background

So, what’s the scoop? The Grand Strand Water and Sewer Authority filed this lawsuit on August 9 against Burlington Industries, Inc.. The suit claims that for decades, this company let contaminated wastewater flow from its old Society Hill mill into our Pee Dee River watershed, which ultimately trickled down to us here along the coast. Many locals, including countless families and beachgoers, may unknowingly be consuming water laced with these harmful substances.

The Danger of Forever Chemicals

The concern is real. These forever chemicals don’t break down naturally, which makes them particularly tricky. Once they’re in our water, they’re hard to filter out. According to the lawsuit, our water treatment cannot handle these contaminants. The implications of drinking such contaminated water can range from serious health risks, including cancer, to reproductive health issues. It’s a situation we want to keep an eye on.

What’s Happening at the Treatment Plants?

The lawsuit highlights that two treatment plants are impacted by this contamination: one in Bucksport and the other right here in Myrtle Beach. The Bucksport plant alone offers drinking water to about 115,000 Johns and Janes! Not to mention, water from the Myrtle Beach facility is distributed across our sunny shores, ensuring that families, tourists, and businesses have access to clean drinking water.

What Are Experts Saying?

Experts like Dylan Coleman, a coordinator with the Winyah Rivers Alliance, emphasize that this is not the first time we’ve heard of textile mills being linked to PFAS contamination. He explains that mills are often found to be associated with these kinds of harmful chemicals. It’s a tricky situation, as the chemicals remain in the environment long after the industries have left.

A Call for Action

What do authorities want to do about it? The Grand Strand Water and Sewer Authority is urging the court to make Burlington Industries responsible for cleaning up their mess. They’re calling for financial support to help implement new treatment technologies to filter out those nasty PFAS chemicals. It’s a public health issue as well as an environmental concern that they hope to tackle head-on.

What’s Next?

While we await more updates from the court, we should also stay informed about what’s happening with our water sources. As of now, experts continue to monitor and study the implications of these forever chemicals. Just like the historic conversations around tobacco health risks, it feels like we’re standing on the edge of significant discoveries regarding our drinking water.

Keeping Our Community Safe

As Myrtle Beach residents, we love our outdoor lifestyle, and safe drinking water is a key part of that. Let’s keep the conversation rolling in the community about how we can all work together to protect our waterways and, most importantly, our health.

Stay safe out there, folks! Be sure to keep an ear open for more updates on this developing story and remember to drink responsibly!