BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) - Test results are back on a coal slurry spill that could threaten Tuscaloosa's drinking water. Not surprisingly, there's disagreement on what the results mean.
The Alabama Surface Mining Commission has released data from samples taken along the North River following an accidental release of coal slurry into the stream July 15. Shortly after the accidental spill a spokesman for Walter Energy told CBS42 the material that was released is non-hazardous and is primarily water with approximately one quarter of the volume being fine rock particles.
The ASCM data reflects tests done at multiple points. These sites include sites upstream of the spill origin as well as downstream where the spill had at that point not yet reached.
Although the July 19 data shows above allowable levels for Total Suspended Solids, Turbidity, Arsenic, and Lead, ACSM director Randall Johnson points out that the tests both upstream and downstream of the spill also show high arsenic levels. Johnson says more testing is being done and results will be made public when available.
Black Warrior Riverkeeper Nelson Brooke looks at the same data and puts a different interpretation on it. According to Brooke, "The North River Mine coal slurry spill into the North River contained not just water and crushed rock as has been reported, but also a host of pollutants (as I suspected). These are now outlined by the first set of samples results (attached) that we received from the AL Surface Mining Commission. Note the elevated levels of total suspended solids, turbidity, arsenic, and lead due to the spill."
Brooke goes on to say his organization is conducting their own water quality tests and will also make them public when available.
The Black Warrior Riverkeeper Association and ASMC frequently butt heads over water quality issues relating to mining...including a dispute over permits for a new strip mine at Shepherd Bend.
What's at stake in the North River coal slurry dispute is the water supply for Tuscaloosa since the spilled slurry is heading toward Lake Tuscaloosa.
