The North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources conducted tests in the Dan River for pH, Specific Conductance, Temperature, and Dissolved Oxygen.  They say, “Initial water quality testing performed by DENR staff on site at Duke Energy’s Dan River power plant on Tuesday showed no deviation from normal levels of temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen and conductivity due to the release of water and ash from the facility’s coal ash impoundment…These initial results do NOT mean the water is safe. DENR staff are continuing to sample and test the water. On Tuesday, the first round of water samples were delivered to a lab in Raleigh for further testing for heavy metals, sulfates, nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), and total suspended solids.”

field parameters and initial testing results- full pdf

The North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources published test results from water quality testing on the Dan River. The following is an explanation about the tests they conducted:

“State test results completed Thursday for a number of water quality parameters, including 17 metals, show no violations of state water quality standards for most samples taken Monday and Tuesday near the site of the coal ash spill in Eden. Test results for the remaining parameters will be released as soon as they are available.

One metal, copper, was above the state action level surface water standard both Monday and Tuesday. Because copper is a naturally occurring element in North Carolina waters, action level exceedances are used to trigger further investigation. While levels of copper decreased significantly on Tuesday, DENR will continue to monitor copper and the other elements.

North Carolina has established its federally approved water quality standards based on scientific data designed to protect human health and the aquatic environment.

DENR is still waiting on metals analysis to be completed for boron, titanium, vanadium, iron, cobalt, beryllium, aluminum, selenium, lithium, manganese and strontium. A monitoring plan to characterize coal ash in the river bed and along the river banks is in development and will be implemented in the coming days.”

preliminary dan river water quality test results- full pdf

The North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources has released a map for water quality testing sites on the Dan River.  They say, “The map shows three sampling locations: Draper Landing, just downstream of the spill site; downstream of the spill site at the Virginia line; and upstream at a location on Hwy 14. All of the sampling sites are at bridge crossings. The map also shows locations where DENR conducts regular testing.”

coal ash spill NCDENR water testing site- full pdf

On February 4th, Appalachian Voices Staff paddled down the Dan River to collect water samples and see the coal ash spill site first hand.

(Photo Eric Chance)

(Photo Eric Chance)

Volunteers from the Dan River Basin Association, graduate students from Duke University and Appalachian Voices Staff paddled down the Dan River to collect water samples and see the coal ash spill site first hand.
(Photo: Eric Chance)

Duke University students collect sediment samples of coal ash pulled from the river bottom at Draper Landing, approximately two miles downstream from the spill. Note the difference in between the normal river sediment (on the stairs) and the sediment contaminated with coal ash (in the containers).
(Photo: Eric Chance

Sediment on the left is from downstream of the spill, and sediment on the right is from upstream.

North Carolina Division of Water Quality Employees taking reference water samples upstream of the spill.
(Photo Eric Chance)

Dan River Stream Station. Volunteers from the Dan River Basin Association, graduate students from Duke University and Appalachian Voices Staff paddled down the Dan River to collect water samples and see the coal ash spill site first hand.
(Photo: Eric Chance)

(Photo Eric Chance)

Volunteers from the Dan River Basin Association, graduate students from Duke University and Appalachian Voices Staff paddled down the Dan River to collect water samples and see the coal ash spill site first hand.
(Photo: Matt Wasson)

Coal ash contamination in the Dan River at the Danville, VA drinking water intake. Approximately 20 miles downstream from the spill.
(Photo: Eric Chance)

Matt Wasson samples the Dan River at the Danville, VA drinking water intake. Approximately 20 miles downstream from the spill.
(Photo: Eric Chance)