2012

In May 2012, DHEC was notified that arsenic was found in the soils and groundwater on part of the former Royster property. The contamination was discovered through environmental investigations conducted during a pre-buy assessment for a portion of the former plant site and surrounding properties. DHEC collected additional soil samples at and around the property to confirm the findings of the environmental investigation.

On July 25, 2012, DHEC staff visited residents on Easy Street, Howe Street and Corning Road to request permission to collect soil samples from their front and/or back yards. Samples were also collected from nearby businesses and other public locations. Samples were taken from: 41 houses (52 total samples), 6 businesses (18 total samples), 2 parks (8 total samples), and 7 samples from public rights-of-way.

On July 30, 2012, DHEC staff visited residents and businesses again to share our findings of the soil sampling. Residents whose samples showed elevated levels of arsenic and/or lead were given a hand-out on how to reduce their exposure until a soil cleanup action could be coordinated.

In July 2012, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) performed air monitoring and additional soil sampling and testing within the Rosewood Community at the request of DHEC. EPA's sampling confirmed DHEC's initial findings of arsenic and lead in the soils and helped to define the extent and depth of the contamination within the community. EPA determined that soils should be removed on approximately 12 residential properties where the highest levels of arsenic and lead were found.

The EPA began cleanup of contaminated soil in the Edisto Court Community during the first week of November 2012. The initial steps of cleanup involved taking out fencing and some trees on the affected properties before the soil could be removed. Detailed property, home, and garden surveys were conducted with individual homeowners prior to any work being done. Approximately 100 dump truck loads of contaminated soil were removed from the affected yards and replaced with clean soil and sod. The contaminated soil was taken to an approved landfill for disposal. EPA's cleanup work was completed in December 2012.

For additional information on EPA's evaluation and cleanup at this site, please visit EPA’s website at www.epaosc.org/RoysterGuano.

2014

In March 2014, a limited soil cleanup was performed along Commerce Drive as a result of surface water run-off following a water line break and heavy rains in January 2014. The top layer of soil in the rights-of-way on Commerce Drive were removed and replaced with clean soil. A street cleaning was also performed on Easy Street after the work along Commerce Drive was completed.

Environmental contractors began collecting soil samples on commercial properties and rights-of-way along Commerce Drive during the final week of June 2014. This work was conducted as part of DHEC's ongoing investigation of arsenic and lead soil contamination that began in May 2012. The sampling occurred in two phases and did not adversely affect anyone living in the Edisto Court or other nearby communities.

2015

On July 30, 2015, DHEC issued an Action Memorandum documenting DHEC’s decision to conduct a time-critical soil removal action at several commercial properties on and around Commerce Drive. Soils containing arsenic concentrations above 39 mg/kg lead concentrations above 800 mg/kg in the 0-2 foot interval were designated to be removed.

• July 30, 2015 – DHEC Action Memorandum (pdf)

2016

On August 25, 2016, the removal action started and was completed on April 18, 2017. A total of 23,955 tons of soil were removed, treated, and disposed of in an approved, permitted landfill. Clean soil and/or crushed stone was brought in to fill the areas where contaminated soil had been removed.

Soil Removal on Khoury Oriental Rugs Property:

Soil Removal and Backfill on TVK Warehouse Property:

Soil Removal, Testing, and Backfilling on Randolph Trucking Property:

Soil Removal and Restoration on Eagle Property;

Soil Removal and Restoration along Affected Area on Sullivan Street:

2017

A Construction Completion Report was submitted to DHEC detailing the results of the 2016-2017 removal action. The report includes: a summary of each task completed; analytical data results; and supporting maps, figures, and waste disposal records.

• July 2017 – Construction Completion Report (full version) (pdf)
• July 2017 – Construction Completion Report (edited version) (pdf)