HOME     |     CONTACT     |    
  
project image
project image
project image
project image

WATEREE STATION ASH PONDS

Eastover, South Carolina

SCE&G’s 700-megawatt, coal-fired Wateree Station burns 250 tons of coal per hour when running at full capacity. Coal waste from plant operations is stored and processed in a series of two ponds, 80 acres each. Pond 1 is used for coal ash sluicing activities and Pond 2 is used as a polishing pond. The water is then discharged into the Wateree River.

FME performed a subsurface exploration that included the use of rotosonic drilling techniques, as well as cone penetration testing, two-dimensional electrical resistivity imaging, three-dimensional electrical resistivity imaging, ground penetrating radar, seismic refraction, and hydraulic conductivity testing. Data from the exploration was used to characterize the pond perimeter containment system with respect to composition, physical properties, foundation properties, and continuity/homogeneity.

FME also performed structural stability analyses utilizing Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Dam Guidelines to assess the performance of the pond perimeter earth containment dike system in the static condition and when subjected to seismically-induced loading. To perform the analysis, FME established the design earthquake and ground motion for the site. Subsequently, FME developed a factor of safety of the dike system for the design loading due to the design earthquake. As part of the overall risk assessment, multiple design scenarios were analyzed including the effects of rapid drawdown and liquefaction.