On Oct. 27, Mountain Xpress published [a letter] from a group of students from Buncombe County Early College entitled "The Rivers Need Our Help." Shakespeare Conductive Fibers (SCF) was identified as a potential source of toxins discharged to the river that resulted in a 2009 fish kill in Hominy Creek. We support the students’ intentions of protecting our rivers. However, it is important that the facts are correctly stated and the record set straight.
First, SCF does not discharge to Hominy Creek, but to the municipal sewerage district in strict accordance with the Sewer Use Ordinance. Second, I spoke with Susan Wilson at the N.C. Division of Water Quality and our company was not implicated in any way in the 2009 fish kill. It appears that the high pH levels that may have caused the fish kill were, indeed, found upstream from our location, indicating a source other than SCF.
In our nine years of operating as SCF, we have maintained an excellent safety and environmental record, and are and have always been in compliance with all regulatory agencies. It's just a part of our "DNA" to add value to the community through charity, responsible care, sustainable practices and continuous improvement.
I also intend to reach out to these students from Buncombe County Early College to offer them a better understanding of our business and the efforts we take to protect the environment.
— Brian Hill
Vice President and General Manager
Shakespeare Conductive Fibers
Enka
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