Coal ash likely entering North Carolina river, environmentalists say

Source: CNN






Updated 6:49 PM ET, Fri September 21, 2018
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Story highlights

Coal ash may have reached the Cape Fear River from a dam breach environmentalists say
Inspectors are on location trying to assess the damage

(CNN)Coal ash is likely entering the Cape Fear River in Wilmington, North Carolina, environmentalists said Friday. Rising water in the area, due to heavy rain and storm surge from Hurricane Florence, is still a problem.


Duke Energy confirmed breaches to a cooling lake dam at its L.V. Sutton plant in Wilmington, although it said coal ash -- industrial waste created by coal-burning power plants -- is probably not moving into the river.




The state has been closely monitoring conditions at the facility. Since Thursday night, high water from the Cape Fear River has flowed into Sutton Lake on the north side and into the river on the south side. On Friday morning, state dam safety officials were notified of a dam breach of between 100 and 200 feet at the south end of Sutton Lake. There may also be smaller breaches in the dam, according to the state.

"The Cape Fear River has spilled into the Sutton Lake. It has spilled over into their transmission yard. Duke has evacuated their employees," Michael Regan, secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, said Friday. "What we don't know at this point is if any coal ash has filtered into the Cape Fear River."

The department said it is working with other agencies to monitor the situation. It plans to conduct flyovers as well as on-the-ground testing and drone inspections of the dam..................................

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/21/health/florence-coal-ash-sutton-plant-cape-fear-river/index.html

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Now toxic coal ash is out of its containment. geez


Cenospheres leave Sutton cooling lake and enter Cape Fear River. Photo uploaded on Sept. 21, 2018











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