It is common knowledge that water is essential for survival. In our technologically advanced first world country, the majority of today’s population would think that clean drinking water would be accessible to everyone in the United States. Recent news reports of environmental health crises have given us cause for concern with respect to fundamental resources such as water, which comprises 60% of the human body. Environmental water testing has established that chemicals are leaching into natural reservoirs, poisoning our drinking water, and harming ones we love. An area of geographical significance that is being affected by water contamination is our neighbor, North Carolina. Reports of cancers and other serious illnesses are being linked to the contaminated water from a Duke Energy coal ash spill. Residents are unknowingly being exposed to these contaminants and have been for years. It is time for people to recognize the risk of harm and consequent health problems that can arise, identify regulations that are being enforced, and understand the legislative action that is being taken to contain and stop these environmental issues. 

Contaminated groundwater can cause many diseases and is extremely harmful considering half of the water in the United States is derived from groundwater (Goemann 431). Coal ash is one of the largest contaminants because coal is such a widely utilized resource. At the Duke Energy plant, like many other places around the world, coal is burned for fuel and the after effect is the carcinogenic coal ash waste. In North Carolina alone, there are approximately 107.9 million tons of coal ash deposited into 32 coal ash ponds run by Duke Energy. These coal ash ponds are operated as such to act as a place for “safe” disposal of coal ash near the energy plants. In February of 2014 a pipe burst, resulting in a coal ash spill that released approximately 39,000 tons of coal ash into a major North Carolina river. According to a survey conducted by Ethan Goemann of the United States District Court, this spill sent “millions of gallons of sludge from a retired power plant into a river that supplies drinking water to communities in North Carolina and neighboring Virginia”  (427). Chemicals comprising coal ash to name just a few, include arsenic, lead, mercury, selenium, aluminum, barium, boron, and chlorine. There is always a risk when dealing with potentially harmful chemicals, and an even greater risk when they affect something as widely available as water. Goemann concluded that, given the size and required resources, it will cost “over $300 million and will take many years to clean up the Dan River spill” (427).

Are there consequences for chemical spills in the environment and what are the next steps for those affected? Sounds like another Erin Brokovich case? It’s true! Many residents in affected areas are aware of the coal ash spill and have reported their concerns, but to what end? Governmental agencies claim to be working toward a resolution but no firm plans for this have been established. In response to the Dan River spill came the development of the Coal Ash Management Act (CAMA) of 2014. The CAMA was established to protect groundwater from the coal ash ponds, to ensure public health safety from hazardous chemicals, and to be a sort of model for other states with water contamination problems; however, in November of that year the coal ash ponds that were created to hold the harmful waste began leaking into another water source, the Yadkin River. An analysis of this river was performed with the following results: levels of cadmium and arsenic were eight and three times, respectively, above the North Carolina maximum for what is considered safe for ingestion (Goemann 438). In 2009, data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) showed that people living near North Carolina coal ash ponds have a 1 in 50 chance of being diagnosed with cancer. This greatly exceeds what is considered an acceptable measurement by the EPA (EPA). In another study conducted by Jennifer S. Harkness, “The 14 sites in North Carolina was based on state-archived monitoring well data. Boron and strontium exceeded background values of 100 and 150 mu g/L, respectively, at all sites, and the high concentrations were associated with low d11B snd radiogenic SR-87/Sr-86 isotopic fingerprints that are characteristics of coal ash at all but one site” (Harkness, i). With the high amounts of coal ash that remain in the Dan River today, it will be a challenging feat to eliminate the contaminants completely. The Duke Energy coal ash spill has spread as wide as 70 miles, affecting thousands of men, women, and children. As defined by Physicians for Social Responsibility, coal ash is “waste material left after coal is burned” and contains “toxic chemicals that cause cancer, developmental disorders, and reproductive problems” (Gottlieb v). While many tests can be performed to identify its presence, there is currently no procedure for how to utilize this information in order to impact the health of an affected population. 

Normal functions of the human body are dependent on the presence of water. According to the National Academics of Medicine, the daily recommendation for water consumption is 9 cups for women and 13 cups for men (National Academics of Medicine). There is no known acceptable substitute for clean water, a fact highlighting the importance of this issue. As mentioned, the Duke Energy coal ash spill has been a key player in North Carolina’s water contamination; however, offenders are not limited to coal ash. In a study conducted on water well contaminants in North Carolina, Escherichia coli and fecal indicator bacteria were among those listed (DeFelice 6-7). What effect do these bacteria have on those that drink from these wells? Acute gastrointestinal illnesses (AGI) have been reported in areas that have contaminants in their water supply. According to DeFelice’s survey conducted, “29,200 annual ED visits for AGI costing $39.9 million are potentially attributable to contamination of private wells” and “expanding regulated water services has the potential for substantial health benefits.” (DeFelice 3) Samples from various wells across several state regions were tested and results of chemical levels were compared in order to track and detect waterborne illnesses. In Flint, Michigan, residents were told to boil their water before consuming or using the water (Keating 1). With the knowledge that chemicals are being inadvertently leached into water major supplies, it is pertinent that extreme measures be taken to identify and prevent the spread of cancers and diseases. Certain chemicals are linked directly to cancers including lung and bladder. Regan Murray of the US Environmental Protection Agency wrote an article in 2009 which indicated “295 cancer cases in 2010 were potentially attributable to the 20 regulated chemicals in drinking water that are carcinogenic, occur in North Carolina community water supplies, and have sufficient dose-response data available to support a risk assessment” (Murray).  The importance and urgency of the clean-up process for this spill is growing exponentially. Unfortunately, the water contamination epidemic is not limited to North Carolina and is an issue millions face around the globe. For some, this could become a life or death situation if issues surrounding water contamination are not resolved.

With reports of high levels of chemicals seeping into the water supply, it is no surprise that health hazards are on the rise. Obesity continues to be a growing issue for many across the world and while there has no been no research to establish correlation, it is reasonable to consider that certain chemicals in water supplies may be partly to blame. Hormone levels in adolescents reportedly fluctuate on an abnormal scale and this too may be a result of contaminant ingestion. Cancer diagnoses are increasing each year and it is no surprise that areas with high contaminant levels have high cancer rates compared to those without. The types of cancers in affected areas are not limited to lung and bladder. At Carolina’s Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina oncologists are seeing an increased incidence of multiple myeloma, also known as Khaler’s Disease. Multiple myeloma is cancer of the blood plasma cells. Several patients, who also happen to be residents of the same subdivision located near the Dan River, have been diagnosed with this rare cancer type in the past few years. Coincidence? I think not. According to the American Cancer Society, “In 2014 there were 53, 576 cases of cancer diagnosed in North Carolina” (864 cases of them were multiple myeloma) (American Cancer Society). The medical community is acutely aware of the commonality of disease in the same area, but they can only treat it, not report it.

After outlining the immediate and potential consequences, the remaining question is: what happens next? According to Goemann, substantial legislative action is being taken into account for the spill in the Dan River.  An important conclusion of the enactment of CAMA was that governmental and environmental agencies agreed that the millions of tons of coal ash had to be cleaned up (442). After two years of litigation, the deadline for clean up has been set as no later than 2029 (442). WNCN News in Raleigh, NC reported that the company was estimated to move 60,000 tons of ash per month from the Dan River site, with half being sent to landfills in Virginia and the other half being stored on site, lined and sealed. With the clean-up estimated to be completed over a decade away, Duke Energy will have to be prepared for the backlash. As of February 2016, Duke Energy spokesman Jeff Brooks reported that the company had moved “more than 66,000 tons of coal ash here and expect to exponentially increase that with our rail system now in place” (Rodriguez 1). It is going on four years since the initial coal ash spill and little to no progress has been made to clean up the coal ash. While legislative attempts have been made, CAMA for example, there has yet to be a successful solution that will prevent similar future occurrences. 

Though the environmental, legislative, and regulatory issues surrounding water contamination are indisputable, the relationship with associated long-term health risks remains indefinite. In the water well contaminant study, author Defelice found “nearly all of the cancer risk potentially associated with drinking water arises from just three contaminants” (DeFelice 2-3) of which coal ash was not listed. He concluded his paper with the opinion “not only do the vast majority of related chemicals pose negligible to zero cancer risk, but the overall cancer risk attributable to drinking water is extremely low, representing a very small fraction of all North Carolina cancer cases” (23). Conclusions of this study are reputable; however, there are confounding factors to consider. The paper (DeFelice’s) was published in 2016, just two years after the initial bursting of the pipe that led to the coal ash spill in Dan River but its numbers reflect data from water samples that were collected in 2010. If the water samples had been obtained during or after February of 2014, the presence of and potential carcinogenicity of coal ash would have been documented. Further, it is important to consider that while groundwater is a primary resource of drinking water for many, this is not the only option available. Today’s society allows for mass production and distribution of bottled water, some of which is bottled outside of the country entirely. There are also various types of water filters that can be purchased and utilized in order to remove potential contaminants and impurities prior to ingestion. It would be difficult to obtain an accurate measure of the population’s percentage that utilizes these alternate resources but likely that it is a notable amount. So, what does this mean for overall risk of exposure to groundwater contamination? Does this make the argument for increased regulation and legislation negligible? It does not. There is a reason why organizations such as the US Environmental Protection Agency and the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality exist and that is to protect the environment and its resources. 

With advancements in medicine, technology, and overall societal achievements, one would think that pure drinking water would be a readily available resource in a developed country like the United States. Despite these advancements, this is unfortunately not the case. The Duke Energy corporation provides electricity for millions of people and while essential for daily functions, its byproducts are negatively impacting a more important necessity. Water is a basic requirement for all lifeforms. The waste from burning coal in order to produce electric energy is potentially causing serious health problems in North Carolina and surrounding areas. It is important for people to recognize the risk of harm and consequent health problems that can arise from consuming coal ash,  identify regulations that are being enforced, and understand the legislative action that is being taken to contain and stop these environmental issues. Coal ash is classified as “waste” and its long and short-term effects on the human body are unknown; what is known is that there is reason to believe that its presence in groundwater can be harmful. Research and surveys promote further studies into the correlation between groundwater contamination and health issues such as acute gastrointestinal illnesses and cancer. It is imperative that affected and at-risk communities be made aware of these risks! The government has taken action in the form of CAMA enactment as well as a time line for clean-up of the coal ash ponds, but resolution is years away and the threat of harm is ever present. The more awareness of this issue, the better off people are to protect themselves and their families from consuming coal ash. The importance of the clean-up is eminent, the sooner it is contained and removed, the sooner clean drinking water will be restored to North Carolina residents. Generally speaking, water contamination is not solely a state issue, rather it is a global epidemic that needs to be addressed with the utmost priority for the well-being of all mankind. 
