Plans for alternate water supplies near coal ash facilities get preliminary approval
Duke Energy required to pay for new water lines or filtration systems for affected homes
RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, or DEQ, has given preliminary approval to Duke Energy’s plans to provide permanent alternate water supplies to homes near coal ash facilities. State law requires Duke Energy to pay for either the installation of a new water line or a home filtration system for residents within one half-mile of a coal ash impoundment.
“We have reviewed Duke Energy’s plans for providing permanent alternate water supplies as required by the Coal Ash Management Act,” said Jay Zimmerman, director of the N.C. Division of Water Resources. “We are pleased to see progress on providing people who live in affected areas with a safe drinking water supply.”
DEQ staff thoroughly reviewed information and proposals submitted in December by Duke Energy and have issued approvals with conditions. Duke Energy’s plans will not be granted final approval until the utility demonstrates to the satisfaction of the state health and environmental departments that the water it provides is safe for drinking. Approvals are also conditional upon any installed water treatment system demonstrating it can meet applicable standards. Under the law, Duke Energy must notify all residents who have been identified as eligible to receive a permanent alternate water supply by April 15, 2017.
State law requires Duke Energy to provide permanent alternate water supplies to residents within a half-mile boundary at the following facilities: Allen Steam Station (Gaston County), Asheville Power Station (Buncombe County), Belews Creek Steam Station (Stokes County), Buck Steam Station (Rowan County), Cape Fear Power Station (Chatham County), Cliffside Steam Station (Cleveland and Rutherford Counties), Dan River Steam Station (Rockingham County), H.F. Lee Power Station (Wayne County); Marshall Steam Station (Catawba County), Mayo Power Station (Person County), Roxboro Power Station (Person County), Sutton Power Station (New Hanover County) and Weatherspoon Steam Electric Plant (Robeson County). Riverbend Steam Station in Gaston County has no eligible residents within the half-mile boundary.
You may view the letter sent from DEQ to Duke Energy here.
You may view a frequently asked questions document here.
You may read Duke Energy’s plans for providing permanent alternate water supplies here.
You may read the state law that requires Duke Energy to provide permanent alternate water supplies here.