Supply residents raise well water concerns as sand mine seeks expansion

SUPPLY, NC (WWAY) — Residents along Makatoka Road say a nearby sand mine has brought dust, diesel fumes, increased truck traffic, and concerns about their well water since operations resumed.

Now, S & B Sand Mine is seeking approval to open a second mining pit — a 15-acre operation that would be closer to several homes.

For neighbors living near the existing mine, water is among their biggest concerns.

A trickle of water came from a hose connected to David Clemmons’ well as he described what he says is a relatively new problem with his water pressure.

“Wells have quit. Some people’s wells have burned up,” said Clemmons.

Clemmons, who lives next to the existing S & B Sand Mine, said the operation has pumped millions of gallons of groundwater from the mine during a period of drought.

“In that drought, while the water table was dropping, in 3 months they pumped approximately 10 million gallons of water out of here, and that’s when a lot of people all around, they started having well problems,” said Clemmons.

Matthew Ruff, who lives farther up Makatoka Road, said the mine has taken steps to reduce the noise from its diesel pumps, but that the equipment can still be heard from nearby homes.

“The owner of the mine, he did do something; he did get some quieter housings or something for his diesel pumps, but you can still hear them outdoors early in the morning,” said Ruff.

Ruff also said he has noticed changes in his water quality.

“We noticed that we’re going through a little more salt, you know; we’re starting to smell our water, didn’t use to have a smell,” said Ruff.

The company’s application to Brunswick County says operators would use a water truck to control dust from the property, and excavation would be limited to 35 feet.

The Brunswick County Board of Adjustment delayed a decision on the permit until September to allow for groundwater modeling that could help determine whether the proposed mining operation could affect neighboring wells.

Recommended conditions for the permit also state that S & B would have to ensure the haul road remains dust-free, limit excavation to 35 feet and prohibit the use of explosives.

Residents’ concerns have been acknowledged by both Brunswick County and the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, which have received complaints about the existing mine.

S & B Sand Mine was contacted for comment but did not respond.

The Brunswick County Zoning Board of Adjustment is scheduled to discuss the special-use permit on September 10 at 6 p.m.