Sumter County officials meet Shaw AFB leadership about groundwater contamination; county seeks more information

Sumter County leaders reported they met on July 14 with Shaw Air Force Base leadership, including the wing commander identified as Colonel Smith, to discuss groundwater contamination that may affect areas around the base.

Chairman James T. McCain Jr. said the commander’s engineering team described a three-phase mitigation approach: (1) identify chemicals historically used for fuel-fire suppression and burn‑pit operations; (2) identify PFAS releases and design water‑filtration systems to remove those chemicals before returning water to the groundwater system; and (3) establish prevention and protection measures to limit future contamination. Councilman Eugene R. Baten recalled community concerns dating to the 1970s and said residents want tests extended as far back as available records permit.

Councilman Carlton B. Washington said the group is still "peeling the apple back" and emphasized Sumter County is currently in a fact‑finding phase; he invited Councilman Baten to participate in future meetings and said outreach to the legislative delegation remains an option as the inquiry proceeds.

Resident George Bates raised similar questions during the public‑comment period, asking council to press Shaw on how far back testing will go, what radius is being sampled and the depth of testing. No formal county directive to pursue litigation or specific remedial work was recorded at the meeting; county leaders described ongoing engagement and information‑gathering.