PlainEnviro

Cherokee, SC

Moderate Risk (45/100)

Transparent derived index from EPA TRI / SDWIS / Superfund extracts: not an official EPA rating. Fixed caps: facilities ≤25 pts (50+ = max), log10 releases ≤25 pts, Superfund ≤25 pts (5/site), health-violation systems ≤15 pts (3/system), high-chemical facilities ≤10 pts. Bands: High ≥60, Moderate ≥30. See methodology.

Environmental data for Cherokee in South Carolina · Population: 56,299

TRI sites such as Milliken Chemical Allen Plant; Core Molding Technologies; Nestle USA Inc.; SDWIS systems such as GOUCHER WD (1120004); BLACKSBURG TOWN OF (SC1110002); GRASSY POND WATER CORPORATION; NPL sites such as Medley Farm Drum Dump anchor Cherokee, SC's EPA extract. Derived burden score 45/100 (Moderate Risk) uses fixed national caps on density, log release volume, Superfund count, and health-flagged systems - not an official EPA rating.

Health-flagged SDWIS rows in Cherokee include BLACKSBURG TOWN OF (SC1110002); GRASSY POND WATER CORPORATION, while Milliken Chemical Allen Plant leads reported TRI pounds among local Form R filers. No AQS county monitors report here.

Burden score 45/100 (Moderate Risk) is the only weighted composite on this page. The tables below list every TRI facility, SDWIS system, and Superfund site EPA has on record for Cherokee -- not just the names called out above -- reproducing the disclosure history as filed, not a current-safety verdict. Extract current as of 2026-08-25.

Release-over-release change

What changed for Cherokee, SC: EPA TRI 2023 reporting year

2022 → 2023

Same facilities, both years

+31.9%

15 facilities that filed in 2022 and 2023

Whole inventory

+29.8%

474.9 thousand lb → 616.5 thousand lb, every facility that filed

Between the two reporting years, 0 facilities filed for the first time and 2 stopped filing. Facilities entering or leaving the inventory are excluded from the same-facility comparison above.

  • Cherokee, SC's total reported releases rose from 467.5 thousand lb in 2022 to 616.5 thousand lb in 2023, based on EPA TRI filings.
  • Cherokee, SC's off-site transfers rose from 9.7 thousand lb in 2022 to 18.2 thousand lb in 2023, based on EPA TRI filings.
  • Cherokee, SC's water releases rose from 272.0 thousand lb in 2022 to 414.7 thousand lb in 2023, based on EPA TRI filings.
  • Cherokee, SC's chemicals reported fell from 32 in 2022 to 29 in 2023, based on EPA TRI filings.
County population (Census ACS)
56,299
TRI Facilities
17
Water Systems
4
Superfund Sites
1
Total Releases
2.2M lbs

Water Systems (4)

System System pop (SDWIS) Violations
GOUCHER WD (1120004) 5,323 0
BLACKSBURG TOWN OF (SC1110002) 4,496 6
GRASSY POND WATER CORPORATION 1,303 3
LAWS MHP 67 0

TRI Facilities (17)

# Facility Total Releases
1 Milliken Chemical Allen Plant 2.0M lbs
2 Core Molding Technologies 110.1K lbs
3 Nestle USA Inc. 34.8K lbs
4 Tribal Manufacturing Inc. 21.9K lbs
5 Timken Co Gaffney Bearing Plant 15.5K lbs
6 Reddy Ice-Gaffney (435) 11.8K lbs
7 Azz Galvanizing - South Carolina LLC 9.5K lbs
8 Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp 3.3K lbs
9 Bic Consumer Products Manufacturing Co. Inc. 1.1K lbs
10 Westrock Container LLC 1.1K lbs
11 Duke Energy Carolinas LLC - Mill Creek Ct Station 3 lbs
12 Adams Cowpens Dm 2 lbs
13 Palmetto Pedic LLC 1 lbs
14 Adams an Oldcastle Co-Cowpens 1 lbs
15 Oldcastle Lawn & Garden 0 lbs
16 Ply Gem Siding Group 0 lbs
17 Royce Associates 0 lbs

Superfund Sites (1)

Site Name Status HRS Score
Medley Farm Drum Dump NPL Site 31.58

Cities in Cherokee (4)

Gaffney
11 facilities · 4 water
Blacksburg
3 facilities · 2 water
Chesnee
2 facilities · 3 water
Pacolet
0 facilities · 1 water

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the environmental risk level in Cherokee, South Carolina? ▼
Cherokee, SC has an environmental risk score of 45/100 (Moderate Risk), based on 17 TRI facilities, 1 Superfund sites, and 4 water systems on record. 2 water systems have health-based violations. Source: EPA TRI, SDWIS, and Superfund NPL.
Are there Superfund sites in Cherokee? ▼
Yes, Cherokee, SC has 1 Superfund site on the EPA National Priorities List (NPL). Superfund sites are contaminated locations that require long-term cleanup under the EPA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
How many toxic release facilities are in Cherokee? ▼
Cherokee, SC has 17 TRI-reporting facilities on record with the EPA Toxic Release Inventory, with a combined total of 2.2M lbs in reported toxic releases. TRI facilities self-report annual chemical release data to the EPA.
What is the air quality in Cherokee? ▼
Air quality monitoring data (EPA AQS) is not available for Cherokee, SC. This may indicate no EPA monitoring stations are located in the county. For regional air quality data, see the state environmental profile or visit EPA's AirNow.gov.
Is the drinking water safe in Cherokee? ▼
Cherokee, SC has 4 EPA-regulated water systems. 2 systems have reported health-based violations (MCL exceedances). A past violation does not necessarily mean water is currently unsafe. For current water quality, contact your local water utility. Source: EPA SDWIS.
What environmental agencies cover Cherokee? ▼
Environmental compliance in Cherokee, South Carolina is overseen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at the federal level and the South Carolina state environmental agency. Facilities report to the EPA Toxic Release Inventory, water systems are regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act, and contaminated sites are managed under the Superfund program. Contact your state environmental agency for local concerns.

What does this county environmental profile show?

This county environmental profile rolls up EPA Toxics Release Inventory facility reports, Safe Drinking Water Information System public-water-system filings, and Superfund National Priorities List sites for the county boundary defined by the U.S. Census Bureau. Facility counts reflect facilities with a reporting address inside the county, not where downstream environmental effects may be observed. Population figures are from the most recent Census ACS 5-year estimate. The county detail page is updated whenever the upstream EPA programs publish revised data; see the methodology page for the documented ingest cadence and the editorial choices governing how aggregations are computed.

Related Guides

Understanding EPA Data
How EPA collects and publishes environmental data
Environmental Justice
Who lives near polluters and environmental hazards
How to Check Environmental Quality
Step-by-step guide to checking your local environment

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

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Data sourced from U.S. EPA environmental datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainEnviro