Ed Cone points to an interesting and scary article in the New York Times about coal ash ponds similar to the Tennessee pond that recently burst and contaminated hundreds of surrounding acres. If you look at this map you'll see that there are a couple just north of us here in Forsyth County. My question is this: What's the risk that those ponds could be contaminating the water system that feeds into the Triad?
I think I found a copy of the EPA report referenced by the New York Times article here. The report lists two cases of proven damage in North Carolina, one at Hyco Lake (Roxboro) and the other at Belews Lake. The Duke Power Allen Steam Generating Plant is listed under the category of potential damage. If you look at the location of Belews Lake on Google Maps you'll see that it's right in the heart of the Piedmont Triad, right by Walnut Cove (see below). I'm no expert on the watershed of the Triad, but that seems awful close for comfort.
According to Ed's post the Environmental Integrity Project is set to release a report on hundreds of these sites this afternoon. Should be interesting.
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