Gaston Co. Homeowners Weigh In On Coal Ash Wells

GASTON CO., NC– Homeowners in Gaston County say “Not so fast”, in the debate over contaminated well water.

The Department Of Health And Human services has started lifting ‘Do Not Drink’ orders for people with wells near coal ash pits.

Thousands have been living off bottled water after 39,000 tons of coal ash spilled into the Dan River two years ago.

Gaston County residents along with the Catawba Riverkeeper held a news conference today.

They say there’s proof that the water still isn’t safe to drink.

“I hope the people who make these decisions ask if they would drink the water, would they give their children the water, their spouses, their pets, and not just once, but day in and day out, ” said Catawba Riverkeeper Sam Perkins

The State is holding two more meetings next week in Dallas and Salisbury on how to classify coal ash sites across the state.

That classification would determine if Duke Energy has to move the ash to a more secure location.