INEZ, Ky., Oct. 17, 2000—Workers are still trying to contain 200 million gallons of coal sludge spilled from a plant near Inez. Water supplies to several communities are endangered, and Gov. Paul Patton has declared a state of emergency, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader newspaper.
The state of emergency was declared for a large part of northeastern Kentucky. Water shortages have impacted drinking water, basic sanitation and fire protection. As a result, several area businesses including schools in 10 counties have been closed to conserve water. Towns along the Big Sandy River and the Ohio River downstream from the spreading spill have closed their water intake systems until the water is safe again.
The spill happened Oct. 11 after a slurry pond bottom fell out at the Martin County Coal Corp. coal preparation plant. The liquefied coal waste, which contained chemicals used to wash the coal, then flowed through abandoned underground mine tunnels and into two area creeks, killing all the aquatic life.
An Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) official said it could take at least five months to completely clean the spill. Martin County Coal Corp. will be responsible for the cleanup, repairs to roads and reintroduction of aquatic life into the creeks.
The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration had rated the coal-slurry pond with a moderate potential for breakthrough, but the pond had a similar problem in 1994. Inspectors recommended the company add seals inside the abandoned mine to help contain any future spills.
Officials are now investigating whether these recommendations were followed correctly.
For more information, visit the Lexington Herald-Leader newspaper online at www.kentuckyconnect.com/heraldleader/news.
