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Coal Ash Threatens Ohio River Water Supply
4 Jun
Summary
- Coal ash ponds pose contamination risk to 145,000 residents' drinking water.
- A lawsuit is threatened if polluters don't address toxic waste within 90 days.
- Remediation of contaminated water could cost taxpayers approximately $30 million.
Clermont County faces a significant threat to its drinking water supply due to coal ash waste from the former W.C. Beckjord Power Station. The county has initiated legal proceedings by serving a notice of intent to sue the current and former owners of the site. This action precedes a potential federal lawsuit if remedial measures are not taken within a 90-day period.
The site contains unlined ponds holding millions of tons of coal ash, a byproduct of the plant's 60 years of operation. This ash contains hazardous substances like arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury, which can harm both human health and ecosystems. Groundwater contamination from these ponds is reportedly migrating towards public drinking water wells, with only a single interceptor well acting as a barrier.
County officials estimate that upgrading water treatment facilities to handle potential contamination would cost approximately $30 million. They assert that the responsible parties should bear these costs, not the residents of Clermont County. The legal notice targets Commercial Liability Partners and Duke Energy, among others, demanding action to prevent what is described as an "imminent contamination" of the water supply.
