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Resolution aims to get Belmont residents clean water faster

Running water

BELMONT, N.C. — Belmont city leaders have approved a resolution aimed at giving people living near Allen Steam Station permanent access to clean water faster.

Channel 9 has reported that many neighbors living near the plant say their wells were contaminated from coal ash, while Duke Energy insists the contamination is naturally occurring and not from its plants.

Meanwhile, homeowners have been forced to cook and clean with bottled water.

Legally, Duke must provide a permanent water source to them, but is not required to do so until October 2018.

The resolution passed on Monday night will ask Duke to expedite that process.

Last week, Channel 9 reported that Duke is offering residents a compensation plan which includes $5,000 and 25 years-worth of paid water bills.

But there's a catch -- residents will have to give up their right to sue the company in the future.

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