KINGSTON, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Six weeks after the coal ash spill in Roane County, an environmental group is releasing water quality test results that show dangerous levels of heavy metals.

But TVA and state officials have been saying for weeks, the water is safe.

Now, some are asking how can the results of water quality testing be so different?

With differing results, some residents worry about the safety of the drinking water.

Darrell Pelfrey has lived in Roane County his entire life, but no longer drinks what comes out of the tap.

Darrell says "we just don't drink the water no more, I mean if you go to drink the water, ain't no telling what's in it, its killing the fish too."

An environmental group, United Mountain Defense agrees.

Along with the Environmental Integrity Project, they say their scientists tested 22 locations over the course of a week.

Jeff Stant with the Environmental Integrity Project says "the results indicate the collapse of the ash embankment on December 22, has contaminated surface water near the collapse site and down river with levels of heavy metals that frequently exceed federal drinking water standards and water quality standards."

The group claims their results show the entire water-shed is affected directly by the spill.

Chris Irwin with United Mountain Defense says "TVA has an obligation and duty to both the impacted residents and the people living downstream to immediately pay for comprehensive regular testing."

But regular testing done by TVA and state officials shows safe drinking water levels since the spill.

Tisha Calabrese-Benton with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation says "the Department of Environment and Conservation has been doing a great deal of independent sampling, independent of TVA, we collect samples on the river twice per week or more often as required by weather conditions."

TDEC has found excessive arsenic only near the spill site, an area where the environmental group says they found dangerous amounts.

Jeff says "2 weeks after the spill, 2 samples taken within a half mile of the spill site contained arsenic 32 to 37 times the primary drinking water standard."

TDEC officials requested more information from the group on where and how their tests were done.

The environmental group now wants federal regulation of coal ash ponds and a complete removal of the Roane County ash pond.

The group says they will continue to perform independent water quality tests.

If you have environmental or health questions or concerns you can contact TDEC toll free at 1-888-891-8332 or visit them at TDEC Online.

The latest findings on the TVA Coal Ash Spill can be found on the Ash Slide Site.

For more information on United Mountain Defense Click Here.

TVA officials declined to go on camera, and referred Volunteer TV to TDEC.