By Ian Mongold

DAN RIVER (NC) COAL ASH CONTAMINATION

WHERE IS IT LOCATED…• Dan River starts in VA

• Works its way down into NC

• Finally feeds into the Kerr Lake Reservoir

• Near Eden NC

WHAT HAPPENED • 27 acre coal ash pond

• Date of Disaster: 2/2/14

• Storm drain ruptured underneath the pond

• Estimated 27-35 million gallons of contaminated water rushed into the Dan River

• Estimated 50,000 to 80,000 tons of coal ash entered into the River

PICTURES

WHAT IS IN COAL ASH • Arsenic

• Mercury

• Lead

• Chromium

• Boron

• Selenium…

AFTERMATH • Third largest coal ash spill in U.S. history

• More than 70 miles of river have been affected

• In Kerr Lake an ash bar 75’ long, 15’ wide and a depth of 5’ was found floating

• Dan River is a water source for over 50,000 people

• Long term exposure will start to degrade wildlife

• Aquatic life, birds and other animals depend on the river to provide water other resources and in turn are taking in deadly chemicals

• Estimated cost of the disaster is $70 million or higher

• Could go up to as much as $700 million (Dennis Lemly)

• Factored in for loss in wildlife/ecosystem, property devaluing and the economic impacts

• Continuous water testing and “Clean-up” are underway

RESPONSIBILITY-DUKE ENERGY • 2013 lawsuit

• Duke Energy claimed responsibility

• Fined $99,111, Duke Energy is a $50 billion company

OTHER FACTS• There are over 600 coal ash ponds in the U.S.

• EPA estimates that there are currently 44 coal ash hazard sites…this was one of them

• This spill was not the first coal ash spill and was no the worst.

• EPA study showed people living near unlined coal ash ponds have 1/50 chance of developing arsenic related cancer