Water Pollution Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Rivers, Manchin’s Successor, Firing Up A Gas Pipeline And New Power Plant Rules, This West Virginia Week

On this West Virginia Week, Earth Day was Monday. We’ll hear from a hydrologist about the state’s rivers. We’ll learn more about why two leading candidates for governor are trading accusations in ads over transgender youth. And we’ll visit a community in southern West Virginia affected by contaminated water.

On this West Virginia Week, Earth Day was Monday. We’ll hear from a hydrologist about the state’s rivers. We’ll learn more about why two leading candidates for governor are trading accusations in ads over transgender youth. And we’ll visit a community in southern West Virginia affected by contaminated water.

We’ll also talk about what’s next for opponents of new federal power plant rules. We’ll find out who Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., has endorsed to be his successor in the Senate. And we’ll learn when a long-delayed controversial natural gas pipeline proposes to begin operating.

Curtis Tate is our host this week. Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert.

West Virginia Week is a web-only podcast that explores the week’s biggest news in the Mountain State. It’s produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick and Randy Yohe.

Learn more about West Virginia Week.

Voices Of Voters And Wyoming Co. Water Pollution This West Virginia Morning

On this West Virginia Morning, drinking water in Wyoming County is making people sick but it’s unclear who is responsible. Also, a look at voter concerns ahead of May’s primary election.

On this West Virginia Morning, drinking water in Wyoming County is making people sick. But it’s unclear who is responsible for the creek’s pollution, or when residents will have clean water.

Also, with West Virginia primary elections in about three weeks, government reporter Randy Yohe gauges voter concerns and readiness before they head to the polls.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.

Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.

Chris Schulz produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

EPA Sets Lower Standards For ‘Forever Chemicals’ In Drinking Water

The EPA’s goal for public exposure to PFAS from drinking water is zero, although it will not be enforceable.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has set maximum levels for “forever chemicals” in drinking water.

The EPA’s goal for public exposure to PFAS from drinking water is zero, although it will not be enforceable.

Rather, the agency wants to limit such chemicals to between 4 to 10 parts per trillion, depending on what category they belong to.

In contrast, the EPA’s 2016 guidance allowed PFAS exposure as high as 70 parts per trillion.

The EPA developed the standards based on 120,000 comments it received. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 committed $9 billion toward reducing PFAS contamination in drinking water systems.

Last year, the U.S. Geological Survey found PFAS levels above the proposed EPA standards in 19 of the state’s water systems.

Exposure to PFAS is known to cause cancer and other illnesses, and complications during pregnancy.

Mon Power’s Harrison Plant Tops EPA’s Toxic Release List Statewide

Out of 177 facilities statewide, the Mon Power Harrison Power Station ranks first on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Toxic Release Inventory.

A power plant in Harrison County releases more toxic material into the air than any other facility in the state, according to federal data.

Out of 177 facilities statewide, the Mon Power Harrison Power Station ranks first on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Toxic Release Inventory.

The plant is responsible for 7.4 million pounds of toxic releases into the air and water every year.

Sulfuric acid accounts for most of what the plant releases into the air, and ammonia into the water.

Hannah Catlett, a spokeswoman for Mon Power parent FirstEnergy, said the company complies with all environmental regulations.

The next four facilities on the Toxic Release Inventory are also coal-burning power plants, but all four release fewer than 3 million pounds annually.

The four are the Pleasants Power Station, now operated by Omnis Technologies; Appalachian Power’s John Amos plant; Mon Power’s Fort Martin Power Station and Dominion Power’s Mount Storm Power Station.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sulfuric acid forms when sulfur dioxide from burning coal, oil and gas reacts with water in the air.

According to a Mon Power fact sheet, the Harrison Power Station is equipped with pollution controls that remove 98 percent of sulfur dioxide from the plant’s emissions.

More Than 300 Streams Missing From State’s Polluted List, EPA Says

The EPA has identified 346 streams in West Virginia that don’t meet water quality standards under the Clean Water Act, totaling 1,600 miles.

More than 300 streams are missing from a state database of polluted waterways.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has identified 346 streams in West Virginia that don’t meet water quality standards under the federal Clean Water Act, totaling 1,600 miles.

They are missing from a list the Department of Environmental Quality must submit every two years to the EPA.

They include portions of the Guyandotte, Elk, Gauley, Big Coal, Little Kanawha, Tug Fork, Tygart and South Branch Potomac rivers, as well as Davis Creek near Charleston.

According to the West Virginia Rivers Coalition, the DEP uses an outdated methodology to measure biological impairment in rivers and streams.

The EPA is taking public comment on the issue through Oct. 18.

New Cumberland Manufacturer To Pay Millions In Environmental Violations

A manufacturer in Hancock County will have to pay close to $2 million for environmental violations.

Messer, LLC, an industrial gas manufacturing facility located in New Cumberland, West Virginia, will pay a $1.9 million civil penalty for violations of its Clean Water Act permit and the West Virginia Water Pollution Control Act.

According to court documents, Messer exceeded permit limits when it discharged pollutants into the Ohio River on at least 186 occasions since February 2016.

The company’s EPA permit imposed limits for the discharge of specific pollutants, including copper, aluminum, iron, residual chlorine and phenolics.

In addition to the civil penalty, Messer, LLC must take steps to prevent future violations including the construction of a new treatment system at its New Cumberland facility, implementation of a response plan in the instance of future violations, mandatory internal inspections, and quarterly reporting requirements to federal and state agencies.

A consent decree was entered by the United States District Court on Sept. 11, 2023. Messer, LLC did not admit any liability to the United States or the State of West Virginia arising out of the transactions or occurrences alleged in the complaint.