Water Quality Continues To Improve After The Ash Basin Release At The Dan River Steam Station

Test results from water samples analyzed by Duke Energy overnight and today demonstrate that water quality continues to improve downstream of the Dan River Steam Station.

On Sunday, a break in a stormwater pipe beneath the ash basin caused a release of ash basin water and ash into the river. Drinking water supplies remain safe.

Tonight, the North Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DENR) released sampling results for a number of water quality parameters and the results are consistent with the analysis performed by Duke Energy.

The company continues to work closely with local communities, the state of North Carolina, the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to share its sampling results for comparison with their analysis.

Progress in sealing the leaking stormwater pipe
Flows to the river decreased again today and work to reach the location of the broken pipe continues.

“Overnight, crews used pumps to move the ash basin water that was pooling around the break in the stormwater pipe into a secondary pond,” said Paul Newton, Duke Energy president – North Carolina. “Today crews nearly completed a temporary ramp into the ash basin to the area where they will work to permanently seal the pipe. That work continues overnight.”

Between 3,000 and 5,000 tons of rock will be used to build the ramp into the basin.