CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Consultants have recommended the U.S. National Whitewater Center "hyper-chlorinate" the 6-7 million gallons of water that remain in the lower pool before discharging it elsewhere, according to a proposal reviewed by Channel 9.
The recommendation by the Utah-based company Cloward H20 was shared with other municipalities along the Catawba River. Initially, there were some concerns after health officials discussed the possibility of dumping the water from the center into the river.
The water has remained in the lower pool after tests uncovered the presence of a brain-eating amoeba. An Ohio teenager died after coming in contact with the amoeba while visiting.
When asked if the recommendation by Cloward would be used, a Whitewater Center spokesperson said they are still working with consultants to develop the final plan.
The proposal by Cloward describes using several hundred gallons of sodium hypochlorite to treat the water during daylight hours. The experts then recommend dechlorinating it before discharging the water.
"Chlorine is really excellent," said Dr. Francine Marciano-Cabral, an expert on the amoeba at Virginia Commonwealth University. "It kills the amoeba."
Marciano-Cabral pointed out that it can be difficult to pinpoint how much chlorine is needed.
"The problem too is when the sun shines it causes the chlorine to dissipate so you never really have as much chlorine in the pool as you think," she said.
Health officials said there is no schedule for when the treatment and discharge might occur.
Officials raise concerns over Whitewater Center 'water release'
The U.S. Whitewater Center is preparing to release millions of gallons of treated water from the center into Lake Wylie.
Thousands of people get their drinking water from the lake, as well as swim, boat and fish there. The city of Rock Hill learned of the planned release and sent an e-mail to Mecklenburg County, and North Carolina health officials, raising concerns about the safety of the water.
Here is that e-mail from Deputy City Manager Jimmy Bagley:
“Good Morning. I am sending this email because of the timeliness of this concern but am also following up with a letter in the mail.
It has been brought to our attention that various parties have been reviewing the proper treatment of the parasites in the water at the U.S. National Whitewater Center ("USNWC"). As downstream users of Lake Wylie and the Catawba River, we are very concerned about the safety of our citizens and customers as well as treatment process before the water is released into the Catawba River or Lake Wylie. Our population center enjoys the water for recreation purposes as well as drinking water.
We understand Mecklenburg County has put forth a proposed treatment plan for the USNWC. The City of Rock Hill would be interested in reviewing this process before the water is released. The treatment process is extremely important from a human consumption aspect as well as the flourishing of the aquatic life and ecological balance of the Catawba - Wateree River Basin. We understand the timeliness of this information and appreciate your immediate attention to our concerns.”
The city of Rock Hill takes its water from Lake Wylie, and either sells or distributes it, across York County.
That's why Water Plant Superintendent Susan Featherstone had concerns hearing about the planned release, following the discovery of an amoeba that killed an 18-year-old girl last month.
"We just wanted to know what they were doing, what the procedure was going to be," Featherstone said.
The city received several responses, mostly by phone, and told Channel 9 they were satisfied that proper safety measures were being taken.
"We feel pretty confident that that water is going to be safe to discharge back into the environment, because they are following EPA standards," she said.
People who use the Catawba River for recreation, such as boating and kayaking, said there's a risk in everything, and they aren't worried about contamination from an amoeba.
“It's more dangerous to drive my car over here, than to be in this river,” Stan Smith said. "I’m sure they have dumped much more dangerous stuff into this river."
Rock Hill city leaders said they don't plan to change anything in their water treatment efforts following the release from the Whitewater Center.
They said their own treatment procedure will ensure clean water. Drinking water is disinfected three times before it reaches your tap, officials said.
York County Manager Bill Shanahan told Channel 9 that he has confidence in North Carolina officials, and believes the steps they are taking will make the water safe for drinking and recreation.
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