CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The city of Charleston is requiring a West Ashley restaurant to clean up grease and cooking oils that polluted a local pond.

Charleston officials say Rio Chico Mexican Restaurant on Magwood Drive discharged grease and cooking oils into their back parking lot. Running water collected the material and swept it into a storm drain, which then fed into a nearby pond on Ashley Crossing Drive.

Charleston Director of Stormwater Management Matthew Fountain says first they make sure the activity stops, and then they issue a notice of violation. Violators are given a seven-day window to clean up the issue before they come back and verify. If it doesn’t get fixed within seven days, typically a summons is issued, where the owner has to come to court.

Fountain says when they went to the site, they saw cooking oil and grease in the parking lot, and a “clear trail” of it running to a stormwater crate inlet. They followed that down to the pond, where they found floating sections of grease in the pond.

Christopher Jordan works with the Carolina Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, which helps mitigate human impacts on the environment through medical treatment, education and scientific research. He says he received a call about an injured osprey last week. When he got to the bird, he smelled the stench of cooking oil. Following that, more calls started coming in about other animals.

Lowcountry wildlife volunteers have spent the past several days rescuing affected animals.

“We got many affected turtles. We have an alligator affected,” Jordan said. “We retrieved two green herons and an osprey.”

The Carolina Wildlife Rehabilitation Center says they will continue to monitor the area as new birds could become oiled until the pond is cleaned up. They say they have a plan to rescue dozens of turtles that are also oiled.

Fountain says the issue is often a common misunderstanding.

“The storm drains, the curb inlets on your streets, those don’t go to a wastewater treatment plant. Those aren’t treated,” Fountain said. “Those are just direct discharging into the creeks or the marshes or the ponds of the area.”

Fountain says they see about 10 to 12 of these incidents a year.

“All these things are a wakeup call to us, to what we’re doing to the environment, and it will impact us in the long run,” wildlife volunteer Lynn Parker said.

Rio Chico has not yet responded to a request for comment.

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A state-of-the-art dental and oral health center has become the 22^nd specialty in the MUSC Health West Ashley Medical Pavilion, a sign of the site’s stunning evolution. The pavilion opened in the former Citadel Mall in late December 2019, a month before the first diagnosed case of COVID in the U.S. – not exactly ideal timing.

But the pavilion has thrived despite that, seeing 64,000 patients last year alone. The addition of the dental clinic brings the expertise of the Medical University of South Carolina’s James. B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine to the most populous part of Charleston.

“This is such an example of farsightedness,” James B. Edwards’ widow, Ann, said at the ribbon cutting.

Charleston’s mayor, John Tecklenburg, agreed. “This is where the customer base is. And although I certainly love and encourage folks to come downtown and enjoy all the things we have there, the concept of bringing our services to the citizens of West Ashley- that’s what this overall center is all about,” he said. “I think you'll be very successful.”

The clinic has four treatment rooms, on-site imaging and a full-time dentist on site, with MUSC faculty members who specialize in dental medicine coming to see patients as well. The dean of the dental school, Sarandeep Huja, DDS, Ph.D., said the clinic will focus on patients’ needs and the needs of the collaborative services dictated by existing MUSC Health patients.

“In addition to outstanding dental care, eventually we'll have all specialties and we'll have all levels of care – faculty, residents, our students, and it's really important for our students to experiences akin to what they would in private practice.”

Paul Davis, DMD and a member of the MUSC Board of Trustees, spoke of the foresight that led to the clinic’s creation. “Today's ceremony represents a milestone that began with a vision from Dr. Huja and his team, a vision that has been shared and supported by Dr. Cole and Dr. Cawley and MUSC Health,” he said, referring to MUSC President David Cole, M.D., and MUSC Health CEO Patrick Cawley, M.D.

“This vision highlights the importance of oral health as it relates to overall health and wellbeing,” Davis said.

Cole focused on the efforts that helped make that vision a reality. “It's an honor to be able to lead so many talented and dedicated people that are working hard to make a difference in people's lives. There's just one example, you know, so those are words from the heart. Thank you for what you do.”

Board chairman James Lemon, DMD, was also on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony, as were Gene Hong, M.D., chief physician executive for MUSC Health and Lisa Saladin, PT, Ph.D., executive vice president of Academic Affairs and provost.

Huja said that while the West Ashley dental clinic is the first one not on MUSC’s downtown campus, and this growth will continue. And it will serve as a symbol of what’s possible for patients. “Why is this clinic important? The connection between systemic and oral health is epitomized in this integrated model of care, which MUSC will offer here at West Ashley Medical Pavilion.”

Ann Edwards said the clinic brings a much-needed option of dental expertise backed by an academic medical center to people who live in West Ashley. “It’s just wonderful that you have come to them. And that is so important. Thank you, each and every one who made it possible.”

To make an appointment at the MUSC Health West Ashley Medical Pavilion’s dental clinic, call 843-876-9267.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — A West Ashley pond needing to be cleaned after a nearby restaurant dumped oil into a storm drain is improving significantly, according to City of Charleston leaders.

“It was in very bad condition, but it is getting much, much more where we want to see it,” said Matt Fountain, Director of the Stormwater Management Department for the City of Charleston.

On Tuesday, the department met with the contractor hired by Rio Chico Mexican Restaurant for a status update.

“They’ve installed oil absorbent booms to make sure that they are not getting any additional spill that hasn’t been identified or there’s some other issue occurring, [and] replace the absorbing materials necessary,” Fountain said. “So, we’ll continue our inspection, probably on a weekly basis, to make sure all of that is happening.”

While the bulk of the work has already been handled, Fountain said a timeline of when normal conditions will return is a bit murky.

“The idea is to get the concentrations down to a low enough level so they are not causing any harm, and they can be handled by normal biodegradation. You just want the normal processes that would break down oil and the environment to do that,” he said.

The Carolina Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is now a temporary home to turtles and birds covered in thick layers of oil.

On Tuesday, more arrived.

“Ten turtles,” said Keenan Freitas, a staff rehabilitator with the center.

"Apparently, every time we get a transport in, they appear to be more and more oiled.”

Freitas said the facility is now caring for five birds and 45 turtles.

“Ideally, they go back into the pond, but we can’t do that,” he said. “They’re just going to be re-infected or contaminated. So that will be up to the state’s herpetologist where they want to put those turtles.”

When it comes to businesses putting anything in the storm drain that shouldn’t be there, city officials are offering a reminder:

“It’s always cheaper to do maintenance and do things correctly in the first place,” Fountain said. “Then they come back and try to hire a contractor and basically do emergency repair work. That’s a huge financial burden.”

WEST ASHLEY, S.C. (WCSC) - Ukrainian Independence Day and six months after Russia first invaded Ukraine both fell on the same day this week, now community members are coming together to honor the country.

Charleston residents who have family in Ukraine, are former citizens of the country or simply care about the conflict occurring, gathered at Euro Foods in West Ashley on Sunday. During the event, attendees reflected on Ukraine’s independence and the importance of not forgetting about the ongoing war.

Maka Aptsiauri, Euro Foods Owner, said she thought it was a great reason for everyone to gather together and show support to Ukraine during this difficult time.

“It’s definitely close to my heart,” Aptsiauri said. “First of all because my husband is from Ukraine and most of his family is still in Ukraine. Also, because I’m from the Republic of Georgia. My country was invaded by Russia in 2008. It was a five-day war, but it was still a lot of damage and a lot of death. I can really feel the pain of people who are in Ukraine right now.”

When the conflict first began between Russia and Ukraine in February, Euro Foods and a team of concerned individuals gathered to try to figure out how they could help. The organization, CHS4 Ukraine, focuses on the immediate needs of the Ukrainian people and putting medical supplies, technology and other essential needs items directly into the hands of those who need them the most, according to the organization’s website.

CHS4 Ukraine Treasurer, Kenneth Marolda, has visited Krakow twice, once in April and again in June, to help transport supplies from Charleston to refugees in Europe. He says the first time he visited, the situation was shocking.

“There’s a train station in Krakow that was being used as a refugee center by the city,” Marolda said. “I met with the city’s coordinator and there were just hundreds and hundreds of people who all have nothing. They are trying to book train tickets and everything else to get to their relatives and trying to find safe places to live, trying to find even something as basic as a shower or food.”

The organization works with aid groups inside the country to deliver relief packages. Marolda and the team at CHS4 Ukraine said the help from the community has been encouraging.

“We were in the airport once and this guy saw our shirts and he just came up to me $50; he said ‘I hadn’t heard of you guys before but I really like to help and this is what I have on me,’ Marolda recalled. “So, he just handed me a $50 bill and the donation was just wonderful. That type of energy and enthusiasm to help.”

The Euro Foods owners contacted artist, Amanda Williams, to create a mural at their business to commemorate the story of Ukraine’s strength.

She said the flag unraveling shows transition, the hands with the needle and thread symbolize rebuilding everything again, and the sunflower fields are indicative of peaceful times.

“It was very important to me because I think that we’ve all been affected by the horrors that are going on over there,” Williams said. “It’s touched the whole world and I just think that every single person, whether you have family over there or you’ve been watching the news or the media, we’ve all just felt the presence of this situation. I was honored when they reached out to me.”

To donate to CHS4 Ukraine, money can be delivered to Euro Foods or donated online. Artist Amanda Williams can be found on social media or on The Traveling Canvas website.

Ukrainian Independence Day is held annually on Aug. 24.

Copyright 2022 WCSC. All rights reserved.

Amy Salim started caring for an oil-covered osprey the moment it was admitted to the Carolina Wildlife Rehabilitation Center on Aug. 11.

The bird, found in a West Ashley pond, was rehydrated with IV fluids and received activated charcoal treatments to treat the effects of ingested oil it may have swallowed while preening, or cleaning its feathers with its beak.

“He was just absolutely coated in it. His feathers were sticking together,” Salim said. “This is possibly the worst case that I’ve ever seen.”

Ospreys are huge eagle-like white birds with black markings on their wings. They are not an endangered species but are protected under the Migratory Species Act.

Ospreys are unique because they feed on live fish and can dive to catch them, which is how Salim said the one under the rehab center’s care likely ended up in the pond. Two green herons were also rescued from the pond and treated at the Carolina Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, a nonprofit with locations in the Charleston, Myrtle Beach and Charlotte areas.

When covered in oil, ospreys and other birds cannot regulate their temperature and eat, among other obvious problems like pain and discomfort.

The oil in the pond next to Ashley Crossing Drive came from West Ashley restaurant Rio Chico, located at 1975 Magwood Drive. Citizens of a nearby neighborhood notified the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, and the state agency visited the pond with an inspector from the city of Charleston’s Department of Stormwater Management.

On Aug. 12, the city issued Rio Chico with a notice of violation and gave the restaurant one week to remedy the situation.

“I think it’s a valuable thing for the restaurant industry to remember how important proper disposal is,” said Director of Stormwater Management Matthew Fountain, who estimates he receives 10 to 12 calls about “illicit discharge” from restaurants each year. “It’s great when someone does let us know because then we can stop it.”

Rio Chico Manager Victor Castro said a broken kitchen line caused a combination of grease and water to travel from the restaurant through the parking lot to a storm drain that feeds into the pond.

In the 30 or so feet between the restaurant and the storm drain sits a grease trap, where Castro said the restaurant’s excess grease is deposited and picked up once a month.

“Because it was raining a lot the past week, it went really, really fast all the way over there,” said Castro, who has worked at Rio Chico for 18 years, while pointing to the storm drain on Aug. 15. “We have the container right there, so there’s no reason for us to dump oil in the street.”

Rio Chico has hired Moran Environmental Recovery to lead the cleanup efforts, project manager James Outten confirmed. Outten, who first visited the site Aug. 15, was unable to elaborate on what those efforts would entail.

Rio Chico was not fined, and the city of Charleston will reassess the situation on Aug. 19. Whether the oil was intentionally dumped or the result of accidental runoff is not the city’s immediate concern, Fountain said.

“Either way, we’re just saying, ‘Hey, we need to get this stuff out of our waterway,’ ” Fountain said, discussing what he expects from Rio Chico in the next week. “Normally we want to see that there’s been a true, significant good-faith effort.”

Other animals have been found injured in the pond since the osprey and green herons were rescued.

Two anhingas — long-necked, long-tailed birds sometimes called snakebirds — were on their way to the rehab center on Aug. 15, Salim said, and multiple turtles will soon be transported to a local facility. An alligator was also exposed to the oil.

Some animals did not survive the spill, including a hawk and a couple of aquatic birds.

The osprey and green herons remain in stable condition, but they are not out of the woods yet. According to Salim, the birds have gone through multiple washes — a stressful process that can require anesthesia — and will be in the rehab center for weeks.

The recovery of injured and oiled animals is ongoing, Salim said. More than 20 volunteers have assisted in the rescues so far.

“Our concern moving forward is just obviously mitigating the environmental concerns,” Salim said. “It’s a really stressful process for the animals.”

Those wishing to contribute to the care of these animals can donate to the Carolina Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. For more information on how to donate, visit cwrcwildlife.org.