Dan River Coal Ash Spill

On Monday, February 2nd, 2014, more than 82,000 tons of coal ash and up to 27 million gallons of water were spilled into the Dan River from a pond at a retired power plant in Eden, NC. According to Duke Energy, a 48-inch stormwater pipe that was beneath the 27-acre ash pond ruptured, causing the spill. Duke Energy waited to report the incident until Tuesday, February 3rd, and on Saturday, February 7th, reported to have plugged the broken pipe.  The North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources conducted water tests and found normal levels of conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, and temperature, but when testing for metals, found high levels of aluminum, iron, arsenic, and copper in the water.