Karl Leif Bates

Duke University

A study of power plants in five states has found that metals and other toxic materials are able to leach out of the unlined pits in which coal ash is currently stored. These materials have been found in surface waters and shallow groundwater, and may be able to work their way to the deeper groundwater resources used for drinking water wells.

Coal Ash Ponds Leak Toxic Materials

High levels of toxic heavy metals including arsenic and selenium were found in surface waters or groundwater at all of the sites tested.