Meghan Hodges
The Kanawha River in West Virginia has a history of industrial use and pollution. In 1981, the West Virginia Department of Health reported that around 20 chemical plants released about 7,452 tons of toxic materials into the atmosphere annually. The river has also been affected by toxic runoff from abandoned coal mines and acid mine drainage (AMD). However, a 2017 water company study found few violations of environmental or public health standards, and efforts have been made to treat AMD and improve water quality. The river's potential as a drinking water source and backup supply for the local water system are being explored, but additional studies are needed to determine if contaminants can be treated to meet drinking water standards.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pollution Sources | Leaks and spills from chemical plants, toxic runoff from abandoned coal mines |
| Affected Areas | Kanawha River Valley, Kanawha River, Morris Creek |
| Pollutants | Butadiene, ethylene oxide, chloroform, propylene oxide, benzene, methyl isocyanate, acid mine drainage (AMD) |
| Health and Environmental Impact | Carcinogenic compounds, toxic air, aquatic life death, unsafe drinking water |
| Studies and Reports | West Virginia American Water study (2016-2017), Kanawha River Report (2017), Kanawha River Study (2015-2016) |
| Actions and Proposals | Treating AMD, tightening pollution discharge permits, secondary intake for drinking water |
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What You'll Learn
The Kanawha River's history of industrial use
The Kanawha River, a 97-mile-long tributary of the Ohio River, has been a significant industrial region in the US state of West Virginia since the early 19th century. The river, formed by the confluence of the New and Gauley rivers at Gauley Bridge in northwestern Fayette County, flows through several counties and cities, including Charleston and St. Albans.
The river valley is known for its extensive deposits of natural resources such as salt brines, coal, natural gas, and oil. The extraction of these resources has been a prominent economic activity in the region. The salt brines, for instance, have been a source of chlorine, bromine, calcium, magnesium, and potash. Additionally, the river watershed contains significant coal deposits, contributing about 7% of the coal mined in the United States as of 1998.
The Kanawha River has also been integral to the chemical industry, with a thriving chemical industry along its banks contributing significantly to the local economy. However, this industrial activity has come at an environmental cost. The river valley has faced pollution due to leaks and spills from chemical plants and agricultural chemical facilities. In 1981, the West Virginia Department of Health reported that these plants released approximately 7,452 tons of toxic materials into the atmosphere annually.
The river has also been impacted by pollution from abandoned coal mines in the region. Acid mine drainage (AMD) from these mines has contaminated streams and rivers, killing aquatic life and threatening drinking water sources. Local communities and organisations have been working to treat AMD and reduce its impact on the Kanawha River and its tributaries.
While the Kanawha River has a long history of industrial use and associated pollution challenges, recent studies by the West Virginia American Water Co. have found relatively few violations of environmental and public health standards. However, more examinations are needed to determine if the river can be utilised as a secondary drinking water source for the surrounding communities.
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The river's potential as a drinking water source
The Kanawha River in West Virginia has a history of industrial use and pollution from chemical plants, coal mines, and abandoned mines. However, in recent years, efforts have been made to improve the water quality and determine its potential as a drinking water source.
In 2014, the West Virginia Legislature strengthened laws to protect the state's drinking water sources and required water systems to consider alternate sources. As a result, a 72-mile stretch of the Kanawha River was designated as a "Category A" waterway, indicating its potential for future public water supply. This re-designation provided protections against future discharges but did not address the river's current suitability for drinking.
To assess its potential as a drinking water source, West Virginia American Water conducted a comprehensive year-long study of the Kanawha River between Montgomery and Charleston. The study collected water quality and sediment data to evaluate the river as an alternative source for its Kanawha Valley Water Treatment Plant. The results showed that only about 1.5% of the samples violated government standards, indicating a relatively low level of contamination.
While the study is encouraging, it focused on raw river water, and additional treatability studies are needed to determine if the identified contaminants can be effectively removed to meet drinking water standards. The presence of toxic compounds and heavy metals, such as those found in acid mine drainage (AMD), can pose significant challenges and health risks if not properly treated.
The potential use of the Kanawha River as a drinking water source is crucial, especially considering the need for a secondary intake for West Virginia American Water. The January 2014 chemical spill at Freedom Industries affected the water supply of 300,000 West Virginians, highlighting the vulnerability of relying on a single source. The river's history of industrial use and pollution further emphasizes the necessity of comprehensive data and treatment processes to ensure safe drinking water for the surrounding communities.
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Pollution from chemical plants
The Kanawha River Valley in West Virginia has been subjected to pollution from chemical plants and industrial use. The river has a history of being contaminated by leaks and spills from around 20 chemical plants that produce explosive, toxic, and carcinogenic compounds. In 1981, the West Virginia Department of Health reported that these plants released approximately 7,452 tons of toxic materials into the atmosphere annually. One of the plants, Union Carbide's agricultural chemical plant, emitted nearly 146 tons of butadiene, 11 tons of ethylene oxide, 50 tons of chloroform, 17 tons of propylene oxide, and 10 tons of benzene in that same year.
The pollution in the Kanawha River has raised concerns about its potential use as a source of drinking water. In 2014, the West Virginia Legislature strengthened laws to protect drinking water sources and mandated the evaluation of alternate sources. As a result, a 72-mile stretch of the Kanawha River was redesignated as a "Category A" waterway. However, this redesignation did not include an analysis of the river's suitability for drinking. To address this, West Virginia American Water commissioned a comprehensive water quality study to evaluate the river as a potential alternate source for its Kanawha Valley Water Treatment Plant.
The year-long study, which cost $1.3 million, collected water quality and sediment data from multiple locations, depths, and distances from the riverbank under various conditions. It analysed over 25,000 data points and identified only about 1.5% of samples that violated government standards for environmental and public health, indicating relatively few problems. However, it is important to note that the study compared raw river water to drinking water standards, and additional treatability studies are needed to determine if the contaminants can be treated to meet all drinking water standards.
While the findings are encouraging, especially for a highly industrialised river, they also highlight the need for further examination. The river's history of industrial use and lack of historical water quality data make it crucial to gather sound empirical data before considering it as a backup drinking water source for hundreds of thousands of people in Charleston and surrounding communities.
The pollution in the Kanawha River is not an isolated incident. Residents of Institute, a majority-Black community in West Virginia, have raised alarms about air pollution from chemical plants for decades. Newspaper articles from 1954 describe a massive explosion at the Institute plant, injuring 58 people. Despite these concerns, the EPA has been criticised for failing to address the problem effectively, and environmental regulations have not adequately protected communities of colour living near polluting facilities.
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Acid mine drainage
The Kanawha River in West Virginia has been extremely polluted due to leaks and spills from chemical plants and toxic runoff from abandoned coal mines. Acid mine drainage (AMD), also known as acid rock drainage (ARD), is a significant contributor to this pollution. AMD is the outflow of acidic water from metal and coal mines, which can have detrimental effects on aquatic environments and drinking water sources.
In the case of the Kanawha River, AMD from abandoned mines in the nearby mountains has been seeping into Morris Creek, a tributary of the Kanawha River. This has led to the death of aquatic life and has negatively impacted the water quality. To combat this issue, treatment methods such as constructed wetlands and limestone step dams have been implemented to neutralise the acidic water and remove heavy metals.
AMD occurs when water comes into contact with and dissolves minerals containing iron, manganese, and other metals. This process is exacerbated by large-scale earth disturbances, such as mining and construction activities, particularly in areas with an abundance of sulfide minerals. The resulting acidic water has a low pH, which is detrimental to aquatic life and can make the water unsuitable for drinking.
Treating AMD involves raising the pH level of the water to make it less acidic. This can be done by bringing the acidic water into contact with limestone, as in the case of the Kanawha River, or by using constructed wetlands. Constructed wetlands are designed to treat high volumes of acidic water and can effectively neutralise the acidity and remove metal precipitates.
While AMD is a significant environmental concern, efforts to treat and manage it have shown promising results. Through the implementation of treatment methods, such as those used in the Kanawha River Basin, it is possible to improve water quality, restore aquatic ecosystems, and protect drinking water sources for surrounding communities.
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Air pollution in nearby towns
The Kanawha River in West Virginia has been extremely polluted due to leaks and spills from about 20 chemical plants that produce explosive, toxic, and carcinogenic compounds. The pollution has impacted the air quality in the nearby towns, raising concerns about the health and safety of the residents.
One of the towns near the Kanawha River that has been affected by air pollution is Charleston. According to a report by the NRDC, Charleston area residents face the highest cancer risk from toxic air pollutants among the nine areas studied in "Life at the Fenceline." The report also revealed that 70% of Charleston residents live within three miles of a high-risk chemical facility. The city has been seeking alternative sources of drinking water due to the pollution issues.
Montgomery is another town near the Kanawha River that has experienced environmental issues. Morris Creek, which flows into the Kanawha River, has been affected by polluted runoff from abandoned mines in the nearby mountains. Two residents, Eddy and Mike, have taken it upon themselves to treat the acid mine drainage (AMD) in Morris Creek to prevent further pollution of the Kanawha River. They use a process that involves treating the polluted water with limestone to raise the pH level and remove dissolved heavy metals.
The towns of Institute and Nitro, located near the Kanawha River, have also faced pollution issues. These towns were sites of chemical industries and have experienced numerous explosions and spills over the years. Nitro, in particular, was the site of Monsanto's Agent Orange production for several decades, resulting in dioxin dust contamination in at least 4,500 homes. Monsanto has been court-ordered to clean up the contamination.
While there have been efforts to address the pollution in the Kanawha River and the surrounding areas, the state of West Virginia has simultaneously weakened environmental regulations, including water pollution rules. This has been influenced by lobbying from giant chemical companies like DuPont and Dow Chemical. The rollback of regulations has raised concerns among residents and environmental advocates, who worry about the potential impact on the air and water quality in the towns near the Kanawha River.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Kanawha River is polluted.
The Kanawha River Valley in West Virginia has become polluted due to leaks and spills from chemical plants, as well as toxic runoff from abandoned coal mines.
Efforts are being made to treat the polluted water and reduce the impact of pollution. Water quality studies have been conducted to evaluate the river as a potential alternate source of drinking water.
The pollution in the Kanawha River has been linked to health issues. In 1985, a leak from the Institute plant caused health problems for resident Pam Nixon, who became an activist and environmental advocate as a result.
