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Duke Energy reports arsenic, metals elevated slightly in river in Sutton flooding

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Water-quality tests on the Cape Fear River near Duke Energy Progress’ flooded Sutton Power Plant show elevated levels of arsenic and heavy metals downstream from the breach of Sutton Lake Dam.

But the levels remain “well within the rigorous state water quality standards in place to protect the environment,” the company says. The highest test result for arsenic, for instance, was 1.11 thousandths of a milligram per liter of water. That is far below the 50 thousandths of a milligram limit set in state standards.

Duke reports no indication of any actual coal ash getting into the river from the current flooding. And it says the ash ponds on site remain stable.

Spokeswoman Paige Sheehan says the company cannot as yet categorically rule the possibility that some ash got into the river. “But the important thing right now is that the water quality has not been harmed,” she says.

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