EPA Finds Arsenic in River by TVA Ash Spill

The Environmental Protection Agency released contamination test results today from last week’s coal ash spill at TVA’s power plant in Kingston. It finds Arsenic at 149 times the acceptable level in parts of the Emory River.

Arsenic, Beryllium, Cadmium and Lead — those heavy metals and others were found in the Emory River a day after the spill above the EPA’s maximum contamination level.

On Dec. 22, a billion gallons of water and fly ash buried hundreds of acres after a dike failed on a retention pond. Biologist Shea Tuberty of Appalachian State University, who has done his own testing, says it’s no surprise to find contaminates in the water now. But the EPA’s findings also show Arsenic in test samples that have been strained of sediment.

“So, it’s more or less dissolving or leaching from the ash into the water. And the dissolved portion is probably the most dangerous – actually – for biological organisms, including humans.”

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation is monitoring drinking water and has not reported contamination to municipal supplies.

WEB EXTRA:

Dr. Shea Tuberty and Dr. Carol Babyak of Appalachian State University tested river water collected December 27th using the EPA’s method of sampling three separate locations. They found arsenic levels nearest the Kingston power plant at nearly 300 times the allowable amount for drinking water.

Tuberty says the four days between the EPA’s sample collection and his own could have had an impact. But he also says variations in the river could have played a role. The Appalachian State testing did not take a separate measurement after straining out the sediment.

See the EPA test results.

See a video about the Appalachian State testing and water sample collection.

EXTRA: View WPLN’s photo gallery of the ash spill.