Lead levels OK in water near uranium deposit

Comment: Question, why did it take the Virginia Department of Health so long to test the water? They tested the water 6-7 months later and now the lead is gone. Water moves and the lead were washed down the stream. The leads level was up after the drilling of bore holes. According to local uranium company, they have plugged the holes. Now the Gross's water is okay which is good but this happen 7 months ago and it took the Virginia Department of Health, 7 months to check the water! Why, will it take the state of Virginia that long to test the rivers after a hurricane dumps 21 inches of rain on a uranium-tailing pond? Will it take the state of Virginia, 7 months to check on the open pit mining and the radon releases? Does this make us feel safe in Virginia for future uranium mining? NO! Demand the local leaders to ban uranium mining now!

By TIM DAVIS/Star-Tribune Editor
Wednesday, July 8, 2009 9:41 AM EDT

Allen Gross can drink his water again, but still wonders if exploratory drilling for uranium caused the lead that tainted his well.

After repeated pleas, the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors voted in April to ask the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Virginia Department of Health to investigate high lead levels around the Coles Hill uranium deposit.

According to Gross, the health department took samples from his well on June 24. He received the results July 1.

The first test showed lead at 0.08 parts per billion. In the second, lead was "undetectable."

The maximum lead allowed for drinking water is 15 parts per billion.

Concerns about well testing around the uranium deposit, about six miles northeast of Chatham, were first raised in March.

Virginia Uranium Inc. was required to collect and test water samples at four ponds and four residential wells as part of an exploratory drilling permit from the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy in 2007.

It also was required to monitor 15 locations in surrounding creeks and tributaries for heavy metals.

Although not required by the permit, the company sought permission to test wells at homes within about a mile of the site to determine the general water quality in the vicinity of Coles Hill.

More than 80 wells were voluntarily tested.

Gross, who lives on Motley Road, about a mile from Coles Hill, said when the first test was done in 2007 the lead in his well water was 2.8 ppb.

When the last test was done late last year, it had risen to 17.9.

Gross has been drinking bottled water since January.

Virginia Uranium said it is not responsible for high lead levels.

The company released the following statement:

"In response to media reports of concerns over lead levels in some residential wells in the general vicinity of the Coles Hill uranium deposit, we have reviewed the data and can state categorically that our permitted drilling activities have nothing to do with these lead levels."

"Wells with reported lead levels in the water are all in geologically and hydrologically isolated areas that are unaffected by activities conducted by our company.

"While none of the residential wells are located in a watershed that could be affected by our activities, the simple laws of gravity and hydrology preclude water running uphill - whether in the ground or on the surface - as it would have to do to reach these sites."

Virginia Uranium pointed out high lead levels may be caused by any number of possibilities, including household plumbing.

Gross is convinced Virginia Uranium's exploratory drilling contaminated his well and endangered his family's health.

"It is strange my water was safe to drink before they started drilling, unsafe during the drilling, and safe again now that they've stopped and sealed the holes," he told supervisors Monday night.

"Maybe the good Lord is trying to show us all what will happen if we allow uranium mining and milling to come to our county," he said.

Gross urged supervisors to ban uranium.

"You can do it if you want to," he said.

Phillip Lovelace of Gretna agreed, calling the decision a "no-brainer."

"The guy's water was fine before the test drilling, and it got worse when they were drilling. How hard is that to see?" he said.

Lovelace urged supervisors to continue testing for heavy metals in water around the uranium deposit.

"Let's go to the bottom of it," he said. "Let's see where it came from."

tim.davis@chathamstartribune.com
434-432-2791

http://www.wpcva.com/articles/2009/07/08/chatham/news/news50.txt