Testing of Langley Pond an in-depth process

Article originally appeared in the August 25, 2011 edition of the State.

S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control's testing of sediment in Langley Pond will be the most comprehensive assessment of the pond to date, according to the project manager, with more than 500 samples collected for on-site screening.

Project Manager Lucas Berresford said the testing will determine how much natural sedimentation has occurred and confirm the water quality to "reduce uncertainty" there may be about the conditions of the 280-acre pond in the Clearwater area.

SCDHEC hosted a community meeting Tuesday at Aiken Technical College to discuss the upcoming testing of Langley Pond.

Assessments undertaken in previous years have been limited in that samples were collected at typically only six to 10 locations.

He stressed that all previous tests have indicated that levels of contamination both in the water and sedimentation have met regulatory water standards and are safe; however, there is a fish advisory in place for Langley Pond based on concentrations of mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) found in the fish.

This time SCDHEC has identified 96 locations along the pond where the samples will be collected at varying depth levels.

Samples will also be collected at up to 20 additional locations that are yet to be determined, and five samples taken downstream.

Approximately 580 samples will be screened on site, and 128 samples will be sent to the lab for confirmation. The water quality will also be tested.

Berresford said SCDHEC will be looking for mercury, nickel, chromium and PCBs.

The data will be used to generate a site model to determine the extent of contamination.

For many years, Langley Pond was the wastewater dumping ground for various manufacturing plants in the area until the water treatment plant began operation in 1979.

In 1994, SCDHEC proposed natural sedimentation as an acceptable remedy for the contamination; sediment naturally occurring in Langley Pond would form a layer over the contaminated sediment.

David Dorch, who attended the meeting, expressed concerned over existing industry that may be continuing to dump chemicals and heavy metals into the pond.

"Companies are doing it now. This pond is a holding place," Dorch said. "This pond is not a pleasant place. PCBs are very dangerous chemicals. Mercury is a very dangerous chemical. I don't think you are emphasizing the danger of these chemicals. All it needs to do is touch your skin. It can kill you. Every time I go down to Langley Pond, I see children swimming. This thing can kill children."

The testing will begin in October and take four to five weeks to complete. After the data is compiled, another public meeting will be held to inform citizens of the results.

Public comments on the testing will be accepted until Sept. 9 to determine future sampling locations. Comments may be submitted to Lucas Berresford at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by calling 896-4071 or Jennifer Hughes at 641-7670.