Correction Posted on 9/24:
According to a representative from Duke Energy, the breach that occurred was along the Sutton Lake dam. Sutton Lake is used as a cooling pond and is not used to store coal ash. The two ash basins here at the site remain stable.
Duke Energy has a video that helps explain the situation and how they plan to repair Sutton lake: https://youtu.be/qxCZdd31IOI.
Announcement Posted on 9/22:
CFPUA DRINKING WATER, WATER OPERATIONS ARE NOT AFFECTED BY DUKE ENERGY COAL ASH SPILL
Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) wants to make clear to its customers and keep stakeholders across the Cape Fear region that the quality of CFPUA’s drinking water has not been, and will not be, impacted by the Duke Energy coal ash spill at the Sutton plant.
The raw water intakes for CFPUA’s drinking water system are located more than 20 miles upstream from the Duke Energy coal ash spill, above Lock and Dam #1. The spill cannot reach the intakes.
Media reports, including one in the New York Times, have stated that the coal ash spill could impact the drinking water for all of Southeastern North Carolina.
These reports are NOT true. The coal ash spill is well below all river intakes for the region.
CFPUA’s Sweeney and Richardson water treatment plants have produced safe, clean drinking water throughout Hurricane Florence and her aftermath. CFPUA has produced more than 100 million gallons of safe drinking water since Florence began.
CFPUA would also like to address the questions in the media about the impact of animal waste and other biological spills into the Cape Fear River.
Sweeney’s water treatment system is state-of-the-art when it comes to dealing with such contaminants. It uses ozone, carbon filtration, ultraviolet radiation, and chlorine to make the water safe to drink. Our Richardson plant treats groundwater with a nanofilitration system that use membranes to produce safe, clean drinking water.
If there is any potential impact from any environment incident taking place, CFPUA will immediately report the issue to the public through all available channels.
We continue to thank our customers for their patience as we all emerge from the aftermath of Hurricane Florence.