EPA: test results show air quality, drinking water ok after ash slide
EPA: test results show air quality, drinking water ok after ash slide Save Email Print
Posted: 11:52 AM Jan 5, 2009
Last Updated: 5:05 PM Jan 5, 2009

A | A | A

KINGSTON, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Test results show that air quality and drinking water are ok, according to the EPA, after a massive fly ash sludge slide at the TVA Kingston Fossil Plant in Roane County that happened Dec. 22.

The EPA says they've taken about 100 air quality readings at nine locations, and none of the results exceeded national ambient air quality standards.

They also say that samples taken at three area water treatment plants and nearby wells show that the water is safe to drink and meet national water standards.

However, two of 16 samples of river water taken from the Clinch, Emory and Tennessee rivers exceeded drinking water standards, but EPA officials stressed that all 16 of those samples were taken from raw river water that has not been treated.

Crews have been working to seed the fly ash in an effort to limit any dusting while cleanup continues. The fly ash contains high levels of arsenic.

If the heavy rains that are forecast come, officials say the seed spread by helicopter could be washed away. They say they'll just have to reseed if that happens.

Sen. Bob Corker toured the ash spill site by helicopter Monday.

“There is no question the ash spill has destroyed many people’s way of life and that the greater community not directly affected by the disaster will still be affected by what has happened here for a long time to come," Sen. Corker said after the tour.

“I get a strong sense from TVA that they want to do all they can to make right what has happened. As a first step, TVA should hold another public meeting to again lay out where they are and what they will do to make the people affected feel and be whole again."

TVA will hold another public meeting in Harriman Tuesday at the United Methodist Church at 6 p.m.

TVA says the decision to hold the public meeting was made a week before Sen. Corker's visit to the area.

There is also a special called meeting of the Kingston City Council Tuesday at the Kingston Community Center at 7 p.m.

“I talked to Governor Bredesen today and he indicated even stronger oversight from state government," Sen. Corker says. "My staff and I have had continual contact with (Roane County) Mayor (Mike) Farmer and TVA CEO Tom Kilgore and their teams and assured all involved that we stand ready to take appropriate measures at the federal level if and when that’s necessary.”

More Stories
Family Remembers Former Vol Best As Role Of Minister

Knoxville celebrates Independence Day

Arson investigators look into Western Heights fire

Woman drowns in Douglas Lake, alcohol believed to be a factor

Honduras rejects OAS appeal to restore president

SKorea says NKorea fires 2 missiles off east coast

Kyle says gubernatorial race decision coming soon

Flames engulf boat on Fort Loudoun Lake

Post Your Comments
First Name:
Location:
Enter Comments: characters left
Email (optional):
By posting this comment I have read and agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy:
You must agree to the Terms of Service to continue.
Read Comments
Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
Posted by: buford Location: Knoxville on Jan 5, 2009 at 03:54 PM
Researchers say that the air and water are both OK. The American Lung Association says that the air in East Tennessee is already worse than most other places a person could live. Do these other folks imply that the air has actually improved since the spill? That's what it sounds like to me. Where can we find a non-biased researcher? Seems a lot of people have an axe to grind or turf to protect. Is there no hope for the common man? Please, Al Gore, come down and help us on this. Isn't this what you are supposed to be all about? East Tennesseans are calling for help!

Currently
Local Radar
Radar