Rural South Carolina residents fear that a 2010 law, "which was intended to control the
unchecked withdrawal of water from rivers" but included farm exemptions, is being exploited by a corporation that might deplete water sources. And there's growing concern that it will open the door for other companies to do the same thing in other areas, Sammy Fretwell reports for The State in Columbia.
Walther Farms, which is launching a 3,700-acre potato farm near Kitchings Mill (star on map) and has plans for a 1,500-acre site in a state that only uses 150 acres a year to raise potatoes, "is the first new site approved for withdrawals since the law became effective last year," Fretwell writes. "Unlike
other businesses, farm corporations can siphon huge quantities from
rivers without telling the public. And while the state will review plans
to take water for farming, the law doesn’t allow the public an
opportunity to challenge the work before the Department of Health and
Environmental Control board, the agency says. In contrast, other
businesses that want to begin withdrawing large quantities for the first
time will need permits that require public notice and a full review. In
both cases, the law does not apply to anyone withdrawing under 3
million gallons per month."
Walther Farms’ two massive potato-growing sites could "withdraw up to 9.6 billion gallons from the Edisto [River]’s South Fork each year," Fretwell writes. "Walther’s plan represents an unprecedented farm withdrawal from a river that, during the dry months of summer, is less than 25 feet wide and under four feet deep in places." Critics say "the lack of protection from mega-farms could turn healthy rivers like the South Fork into water starved channels, killing fish and threatening drinking water supplies."
South Carolina officials say the potato farms won't harm the water supply, Fretwell writes. "The company said it followed the 2010 water law when it approved the mega potato farm’s license last spring. DHEC conducted an in-house study, as required, that found the South Fork of the Edisto has plenty of water to accommodate Walther Farm’s withdrawals, records show." (Read more)
Walther Farms’ two massive potato-growing sites could "withdraw up to 9.6 billion gallons from the Edisto [River]’s South Fork each year," Fretwell writes. "Walther’s plan represents an unprecedented farm withdrawal from a river that, during the dry months of summer, is less than 25 feet wide and under four feet deep in places." Critics say "the lack of protection from mega-farms could turn healthy rivers like the South Fork into water starved channels, killing fish and threatening drinking water supplies."
South Carolina officials say the potato farms won't harm the water supply, Fretwell writes. "The company said it followed the 2010 water law when it approved the mega potato farm’s license last spring. DHEC conducted an in-house study, as required, that found the South Fork of the Edisto has plenty of water to accommodate Walther Farm’s withdrawals, records show." (Read more)
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