Coal ash leak could mean change in permits

Following the leak of contaminated water and coal ash from a storage pond at a disused power plant earlier in the month, Duke Energy Corp could have to remove thousands of tonnes of coal ash from other storage areas. Around 30,000 tonnes of coal ash and wastewater was released through a damaged pipe into the Dan River, North Carolina early this month (February), causing state regulators to look at current permits used by the the energy firm.

Earlier in the month, a pipe that ran under the unlined 27-acre storage pond broke, causing the contents of the pond to leak through the pipe into the Dan River, causing possible contamination that could affect drinking water. While the incident was being investigated by state officials, a second leak was identified that was releasing substances that were laced with arsenic, which would cause health problems for people and wildlife in the area. 

According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), plans will now see the permits held by Duke Energy Corp changed. This will mean that the energy firm may no longer be allowed to discharge wastewater into the Dan River. The company may also have to undertake operations to remove coal ash stored in unlined storage ponds at the disused power plant to a lined landfill.

One of the main concerns, even after both leaks have been stopped, is that two towns in the area get their drinking water from the Dan River, which could now raise health implications. 

Tom Reeder, director of the regulator's Division of Water Resources, said in a statement: "We are taking swift and appropriate action to address a catastrophic failure at the Dan River power plant.

"Based on our investigation of this spill, one option under consideration right now is to eliminate all coal ash waste discharges coming from this facility and require that Duke Energy move the coal ash waste stored onsite to a lined landfill away from any waterways."