GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — North Carolina's Department of Environment and Natural Resources recently tested 24 wells near three Duke Energy steam stations. They looked for the same contaminants associated with coal-burning facilities and they found them.
Twenty well owners got "do not drink" notices because of elevated levels of metal toxins that could pose health risks if the water is consumed in large quantities.
Four well owners received incomplete sample results. It's important to note, none of the results exceeded federal drinking standards.
Read our past coverage:
- Community fights plans to move coal ash to clay mines
- County tests for coal ash in Mountain Island Lake
- Residents question Duke Energy about safety of well water
- Frustrated residents lash out at Duke Energy over contaminated wells
Leaders with DENR tell Channel 9 any contamination from the coal ash facility would not have been able to make it to those 24 wells.
Duke representatives said it's proof coal ash basins are not affecting local water.
"We've known all along that the stuff you’re finding in the wells that are near the power plants is the same stuff you're finding in wells all over the state,” Duke spokesperson Paige Sheehan said. “It's naturally occurring."
If DENR determines contaminants in all test samples are naturally-occurring and not from Duke's coal-burning stations, some Gaston county residents say they're stuck.
"It's kind of scary actually,” Eddie Hill said. “If it's [Duke’s] fault, they've promised to take care of us and everything and if it's not their fault, we're out on our own."
The jury is still out on any contaminants in previous testing. The DENR is testing more than 900 wells statewide. Those results are expected back by mid-September.
Duke Energy is also still testing and will continue to buy water for neighbors for now.
Residents react to study results
Robert Gobble relies on Duke to deliver bottled water to protect him from the toxins flowing through his well.
Every two weeks he receives a new batch from the company, which is also his former employer of 27 years.
He thinks Duke could be to blame for the contamination.
“I hate to be talking about them but facts are facts, they have not proven to me that they have not contaminated this water,” Gobble said.
Monday a spokesperson from DENR explained they'd tested more wells that are also in the vicinity but have natural dividers separating groundwater near the wells from the groundwater near the coal ash ponds.
It's vindication for Duke. The company has been telling concerned residents the metals are naturally present in the earth.
But neighbors like Deborah Graham are waiting for more tests results to explain why they’re seeing such high, toxic levels.
“If it's not coming from there where is it coming from, I just don't know if I can go with it’s all naturally occurring not with the numbers we have,” said Graham.
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