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Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet
Company cited for substandard discharge in Pike County
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 18, 2005) – The Kentucky Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement (DMRE) has cited H&D Coal Co. for discharging substandard water into a stream in Pike County on Aug. 15.
A citizen alerted the Pikeville Regional DMRE office that muddy water was discharging into the Right Fork of Long Fork near Virgie. DMRE inspectors found extremely muddy water being pumped into the stream from a sediment pond at the rate of 80 to 90 gallons per minute.
DMRE inspection personnel ordered the company to immediately cease pumping when they arrived on the site. Water samples were taken at the point of the discharge, at the pond spillway, at points upstream from the pond and 1.6 miles downstream. A muddy plume was evident downstream for a distance of 2.4 miles, though no fish kill was observed.
Based on visual observation of the discharge, inspectors issued an “imminent danger” closure order, which requires the company to focus all its resources on stopping the discharge. Also issued was a notice of non-compliance with water quality standards. DMRE personnel are awaiting lab results before assessing civil penalties.
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