South Carolina Coal Ash Disposal in Ponds and Landfills Summary

South Carolina generates nearly 2.2 million tons of coal ash annually, utilizing 22 ponds across 9 plants and several landfills. Many of these sites lack liners and leachate collection systems, leading to documented groundwater and ecological contamination by substances such as arsenic and nickel. The document argues that state regulations are deficient in dam oversight and basic operating safeguards for ash disposal.

• South Carolina ranks 21st in the United States for coal ash generation, producing nearly 2.2 million tons per year.
• The state's coal ash infrastructure is characterized by aging and high-capacity ponds; 15 of the 22 ponds are over 30 years old, and over 50% are classified as large-capacity or have dam heights exceeding 25 feet.
• Multiple sites in South Carolina have documented contamination, including arsenic levels 18 times the federal primary MCL at the Wateree Station and up to 91 times the drinking water standard near the Waccamaw River due to leachate from the Grainger Generating Station.
• South Carolina's regulatory framework is described as deficient because it does not require annual geotechnical inspections of dams, composite liners, groundwater monitoring, or financial assurance for ponds.

APA

Earthjustice (n.d.). South Carolina Coal Ash Disposal in Ponds and Landfills Summary. https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/sc-coal-ash-factsheet0811.pdf

Chicago

Earthjustice. South Carolina Coal Ash Disposal in Ponds and Landfills Summary. n.d. https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/sc-coal-ash-factsheet0811.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Earthjustice |title=South Carolina Coal Ash Disposal in Ponds and Landfills Summary |url=https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/sc-coal-ash-factsheet0811.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{earthjusticendsouth, author = {{Earthjustice}}, title = {{South Carolina Coal Ash Disposal in Ponds and Landfills Summary}}, institution = {Earthjustice}, url = {https://earthjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/sc-coal-ash-factsheet0811.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }