Georgia county hires group to test water wells for coal ash
A county in Georgia has announced it is hiring an independent firm to investigate possible coal ash contamination of residential water wells.
»RELATED: Juliette residents concerned about coal ash from Georgia Power plant
An environmental consulting group will test wells of residents near Georgia Power Co.'s Plant Scherer in Juliette due to ongoing pollution concerns, Monroe County announced in a joint news release with Altamaha Riverkeeper, an environmental organization in the state.
Altamaha Riverkeeper has previously tested wells around Juliette and found chemicals they say indicate contamination from the coal ash pond at Plant Scherer.
The newly announced consulting firm, which has yet to be named, will also collect well samples so more data can be gathered about the impact of the coal ash disposals, according to the release.
Coal ash is one of the largest types of industrial waste in the nation. It contains a range of heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, mercury and uranium known to be toxic to humans. In compliance with state and federal laws, Georgia Power will close 29 ash ponds at its 11 plants across the state. At some plants, including locations in metro Atlanta, the ash ponds will be closed in place or left in the ground without liners that would help protect groundwater. Residents who live near Plant Scherer in Juliette and rely on well water are concerned about groundwater contamination, both in their community and beyond. They are asking state lawmakers to take action.
"For my family, this well water is our only form of drinking water, so there isn't a day that doesn't go by that we're not aware of the fact," Mike Pless, a resident who lives nearly a mile from the plant, told WMAZ-TV. "Now, if we're drinking water, we may be contributing to our own health issues."
Georgia Power, a unit of Atlanta-based Southern Co., says its own testing of wells around the coal-fired power plant show no contamination above federal or state limits. In a statement provided to the news outlet, the company added it “took early action to quickly and safely begin closing” their ash ponds.
Fletcher Sams, executive director of Altamaha Riverkeeper, said the testing will begin in the next few weeks.
