June 30, 2010
West Virginia American Water Ready for Corexit, if Gulf Spill Spreads
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) - West Virginia American Water told HNN they are prepared if contaminants from the Deep Water Horizon oil spill spread inland. A predicted active hurricane season has propelled concerns that chemicals like the toxic dispersant Corexit mixed with oil could reach the Eastern United States.
BP has continued using Corexit, even though the manufacturer has refused to name the active ingredients, citing proprietary reasons. However the warning label describes it as toxic to humans and marine life.
Kelly Gillenwater, external affairs manager for West Virginia American Water, stated that ""in the extremely unlikely event that this material would reach the Huntington Water Treatment Plant, components of the dispersant would be detected as "unknowns" by the ORSANCO monitoring equipment at the plant. These components would be identified by sending emergency samples to American Water's central laboratory for a detailed analysis," Gillenwater said.
ORSANCO (Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission) operates monitoring programs to check for pollutants and toxins that may interfere with specific uses of the river, and conducts special studies to address emerging water quality issues. In addition, according to its website, ORSANCO sets Pollution Control Standards for industrial and municipal waste water discharges to the Ohio River, and tracks certain dischargers whose effluent can seriously impact water quality.
Gillenwater added, "In the event of any oil spill or suspected contamination of any other petroleum-based material, measures would be taken to prevent the material from entering the drinking water supply."
Since the manufacturer of Corexit will not name its active ingredients, how would ORSANCO monitoring be able to determine the chemicals presence? Inquiring minds want to know.
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West Virginia American Water Ready for Corexit, if Gulf Spill Spreads
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) - West Virginia American Water told HNN they are prepared if contaminants from the Deep Water Horizon oil spill spread inland. A predicted active hurricane season has propelled concerns that chemicals like the toxic dispersant Corexit mixed with oil could reach the Eastern United States.
BP has continued using Corexit, even though the manufacturer has refused to name the active ingredients, citing proprietary reasons. However the warning label describes it as toxic to humans and marine life.
Kelly Gillenwater, external affairs manager for West Virginia American Water, stated that ""in the extremely unlikely event that this material would reach the Huntington Water Treatment Plant, components of the dispersant would be detected as "unknowns" by the ORSANCO monitoring equipment at the plant. These components would be identified by sending emergency samples to American Water's central laboratory for a detailed analysis," Gillenwater said.
ORSANCO (Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission) operates monitoring programs to check for pollutants and toxins that may interfere with specific uses of the river, and conducts special studies to address emerging water quality issues. In addition, according to its website, ORSANCO sets Pollution Control Standards for industrial and municipal waste water discharges to the Ohio River, and tracks certain dischargers whose effluent can seriously impact water quality.
Gillenwater added, "In the event of any oil spill or suspected contamination of any other petroleum-based material, measures would be taken to prevent the material from entering the drinking water supply."
Since the manufacturer of Corexit will not name its active ingredients, how would ORSANCO monitoring be able to determine the chemicals presence? Inquiring minds want to know.
Share This Story:
Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
