CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Officials say high levels of arsenicΒ wereΒ found in Mountain Island Lake.
TheΒ Mecklenburg County Water Quality Program tested the water near a coal ash pond at Duke Energy’s River Bend site on June 20th. The level was 95 ppb. The limit is 72.5 ppb.
Duke Energy has exceeded the maximum levels 6 times since testing began in 2004.
Duke Energy released the following statement:
βWe understand that Mt. Island Lake is an important water source for the Charlotte area and want to ensure that this valuable resource remains protected. Dewatering is a necessary step in closing ash basins. Weβve stopped all dewatering operations as a precautionary measure at this time. We have not seen any impacts in the main channel of the lake where most post people recreate, and this would not impact Charlotteβs drinking water supply.
We are currently in the process of building a water treatment system on site and will not continue dewatering operations until that system is becomes operational. We continue to operate within permit limits at the site and the state designs these permits to protect water quality and public health.β
Officials say there was no detectable level of arsenic found when the water was retested on June 24th, and thatΒ thereΒ is no danger to the drinking water or people who recreate on the lake.
