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Isolating and testing for COVID-19 in WV wastewater
by DUANE NICHOLS 30 Aug '21

30 Aug '21

DOMINION POST 30 AUGUST 2021 WVU Team earns $2.9 million to monitor wastewater statewide for COVID-19 by Submitted to The Dominion Post August 29, 2021 MORANTOWN — Just like the COVID-19 virus itself, the means of monitoring and testing for it in wastewater have evolved into a new beast more than a year later. In 2020, West Virginia University researchers would prop open a manhole cover, dip down a bottle to collect wastewater and then take it to a lab to analyze for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 (infected people shed virus particles through their feces). With the new academic year, researchers have resumed on-campus sampling. And these days, they use an egg-shaped robot called an autosampler that lurks in the sewers and collects samples every 20 minutes over a 24-hour period. It’s part of a $2.9 million statewide project geared at developing a testing network throughout West Virginia and identifying communities of concern for COVID-19. The project, supported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, will monitor sewage at more than 50 wastewater plants, in addition to high-risk congregant settings like college campuses, around the state. A year ago, Timothy Driscoll, project leader and associate professor of biology, and his team were sampling around 15 sites on campus. Last September, they started testing at a local wastewater treatment plant to see if it was feasible to test and monitor on a larger scale to inform public health officials. It worked, and now those efforts have expanded. “The scope is different now,” Driscoll said. “We’ll still test at the building level but now we’re shifting more toward the communities at-large.” From a lab perspective, the testing process has trimmed down from 16 hours to six hours, he said, thanks to a new pathogen testing laboratory in the biology department. “We’re using a totally new process to concentrate viral particles out of wastewater,” Driscoll said. “It uses magnetic beads that stick to the viral particles. Then you just remove all the liquid, and you are left with just virus stuck to the beads.” This is already proving useful: several sites have shown recent increases in COVID-19, corresponding with the arrival of the delta variant to West Virginia. That information is helping public health officials respond appropriately, Driscoll said. The new process also poses the possibility to test for influenza, RSV, HIV and other viruses. It isn’t limited to infectious diseases, either. Scientists can also use it to watch for signs of antibiotic-resistance genes. “Our team hopes to expand upon the initial wastewater testing infrastructure to include other conditions of importance to West Virginia,” said Brian Hendricks, an assistant professor of epidemiology and biostatistics in the School of Public Health, a project co-investigator. “We strongly believe that wastewater surveillance is a very important part of public health, but it requires tools that often involve complex methods that may not be available in the state laboratories but are available at many universities such as ours,” said Gordon Smith, another team member and the Stuart M. and Joyce N. Robbins Distinguished Professor in the School of Public Health. “The work we are doing is a perfect example of collaboration of a land-grant university — with its mission to serve the state — and the people of the state. We’ve got the scientific expertise to do the testing, interpret the results and work with the state to put it into practice.” Emily Garner, project co-investigator and assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, is leading the field sampling. By using the autosamplers, researchers have the ability to program them to collect wastewater at certain intervals, she said. They settled on every 20 minutes. “That gives us a great chance of getting a good distribution of what the wastewater looks like throughout the day,” Garner said. “For many wastewater treatment plants, they already collect samples that might be valuable for this testing, so we can leverage those efforts. But in some cases, plants may not have the right equipment or permitting for frequent sampling. Then we’d send some of these autosamplers out into those communities. The official name of the project is WaTCH-WV (Wastewater Testing for Community Health in West Virginia). Collaborators with Marshall University are also conducting testing in the Huntington area. URL: https://www.dominionpost.com/2021/08/29/team-earns-2-9-million-to-monitor-w…

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Seven Mon National Forest Listening Sessions Scheduled for August and September
by DUANE NICHOLS 23 Aug '21

23 Aug '21

Seven Mon National Forest Listening Sessions Scheduled for August and September, ...... starting Tuesday, August 24th .....your voice is needed! https://wvrivers.salsalabs.org/monlisteningaug?wvpId=1484761a-9d09-4d6b-911…

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Morgantown business experiences third flood after heavy rain | WBOY.com
by DUANE NICHOLS 01 Aug '21

01 Aug '21

https://www.wboy.com/news/monongalia/morgantown-business-experiences-third-… Morgantown business experiences third flood after heavy rain Larmie SanyonJul 30, 2021 / 06:35 PM EDT Monongalia Posted: Jul 30, 2021 / 06:32 PM EDT / Updated: MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – For the third time in about a month, Shorty Anderson’s Auto Service has flooded due to torrential rain in the area on Thursday night, July 29. Travis Rowan, the co-owner of Shorty’s, said the first flood was devastating, the second not too bad and the third has been, hands down, the worst. In total, five of their cars were flooded on Thursday. It took all night and morning to clean the shop. Residue had to be power-washed and further cleaned even into Friday afternoon. A look inside the flooded shop A look inside the flooded shop A look inside the flooded shop A look inside the flooded shop A look inside the flooded shop “We got a lot of mud and runoff from all the construction behind us,” Rowan said. “It filled the parking lots, I mean three-foot deep. It was — it was insane. We had a foot and a half of water in the shop. Mud, again.” When Rowan said “again”, he referred to the previous floods, which were also a result of the construction site behind Shorty’s. After the first flood in June, he said the construction site built a retention pond to hold in the rainwater, but it was unsuccessful. Shorty’s co-owner said he believes the existing pipes are not big enough to carry the water out of the pond. As a result, the water is coming out of the already-clogged drains and spilling into the auto shop. He said it’s all just “crazy”. Flooding behind Shorty’s from construction runoff Flooding behind Shorty’s from construction runoff Flooding behind Shorty’s from construction runoff Flooding behind Shorty’s from construction runoff Flooding behind Shorty’s from construction runoff “I’d like to see us not flood every single time it rains,” Rowan said. “I mean, this is the second big one that we’ve had, but every single rain we have gotten water in here now. I mean, it could rain for five minutes, and we get water in here now.” Shorty’s has contacted the Morgantown Utility Board (MUB) and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP), and so far neither of them has been able to help. Rowan said he contacted MUB after the first flood, asking that they come to clean the ditches. Unfortunately, the ditches are still full and getting even more clogged every time it rains. As for the WVDEP, he said, he has talked to them “several times”, sending videos and pictures of the flooding; again, “nothing, really, came from it”. All WVDEP has done is documented the situation and then left the business to its own devices, which is frustrating. “Terribly frustrating,” Rowan said. “I mean, we’re not going to make it if this keeps happening. I mean, Shorty Anderson’s will be a thing of the past if this keeps happening. We can’t keep doing this. We’ve lost entirely too much money.” These losses are not covered by the insurance company, so the business is, really, feeling the brunt of every single storm. For now, Shorty’s will remain closed through the weekend, but the hope is it can open again soon after that. “Hopefully, we’ll be open on Monday to try to figure out where we go from here,” Rowan said. “We can’t get help from insurance. Insurance won’t cover anything, and it’s just extremely frustrating.” Copyright 2021 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Share this story Sent from my iPad

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WV Travel Team: Coopers Rock, one of West Virginia’s thrilling overlooks | Travel | wvgazettemail.com
by DUANE NICHOLS 31 Jul '21

31 Jul '21

Coopers Rock, one of West Virginia’s thrilling overlooks From an Article by Dave Zuchowski, Charleston Gazette Mail, July 30, 2021 https://www.wvgazettemail.com/life/travel/wv-travel-team-coopers-rock-one-o… What is it about an overlook that draws people perilously close to the edge? It’s more than spectacular vistas, because many of those can seen from the ground. Maybe it’s the thrill of fear or the death-defying sense of danger. Maybe it’s the stunning landscape that takes the breath away. Either way, whether its Iceland’s Landmannalaugar, South Africa’s Lion’s Head or the Tiger’s Nest in Bhutan, people get a thrill out of being up high up and surrounded by stupendous natural beauty. Fortunately, there’s a magical spot much closer to home that should give the hairs on the back of your neck a lift. Located in Monongalia and Preston Counties of West Virginia near the Pennsylvania and Maryland border, Coopers Rock juts out over the Cheat River Valley with the same in-your face majesty as Uluru — Ayers Rock — in the Australian Outback. I bonded with the massive sandstone outcrop at an early age, and it became a frequent and favorite family outing. As a boy of seven, I was fascinated by the solid rock hovering precipitously over the steep valley below with only a sturdy wooden railing to keep me from tumbling over. I liked to peer down to the river’s edge, then up the other side of the mountain. The binocular apparatus mounted at the edge of the rock gave me a closer look. Drop a quarter in the slot and enjoy a three-state vista. Later, we made additional forays to astonish an aunt visiting from Brooklyn and amaze a younger generation of visiting nephews. At no time, however, did I realize my goal of hiking to the bottom — although I once took the short and easy trail that wraps around the face of the rock. Early in June, I made my latest return vowing to explore what had been for me uncharted territory, namely Raven Rock. Of course, my pilgrimage started at the main overlook, followed by a stop at the nearby Overlook Trading Post to pick up a hiking trail map and some bottled water. A short drive away, I stopped at what I thought was the entrance to Raven Rock Trail, but I ended up at a popular rock-climbing wall instead where I met an instructor from Seneca Rocks geared up and trying to teach a novice the ropes, so to speak. After a quick inquiry, I got directions to my goal, which was a little more than quarter mile down the road. I grew a little leery about my hike when I saw the unusual rattlesnake warning signs along the road. Thinking ahead, I brought along my walking stick — intending to pound it on the ground to give any sunning snakes a head’s up. After all, supposedly they’re more afraid of you than you are of them, although how anyone would ever figure this out is beyond me. Decked out in my tennis shoes, I started out with my photographer in tow. The path was largely downhill and rocky with dirt in between. The rocks were small and embedded in the soil and made me wish I’d worn hiking boots instead. I tried to avoid stepping on the stones for fear of turning an ankle, and I looked on in envy as a number of joggers wearing similar tennis shoes went whizzing by without a care in the world. The scenery along the way was captivating. Here and there, late blooming mountain laurel added floral interest, but mosquitoes buzzed me here and there, making me wish I’d brought along my insect spray. When I reached the sound of a small waterfall, a fellow hiker told to make a turn to the right, then uphill to Raven Rock overlook, just a few hundred yards away. Bill, my photographer, beat me to the site by a minute or so. When I arrived he said he’d just seen a big hawk perched on a nearby rock that flew off as soon as it saw him. I was thrilled to catch a pair of turkey buzzards making their wavering soars through the air below. Standing as close to the edge as I dared, I gazed at the majesty of the green carpet of trees that ran up and down both sides of the valley and vowed I‘d return again on a sunny autumn day for some dazzling leaf peeping grandeur. Ironically, the nearly 1.75-mile hike back to the car seemed to go faster and easier than the trip down. Again, those darned joggers seemed to mock my attention to the stones in the trail as they raced by in their shorts and sneakers. The entire round trip took maybe an hour and a half at most with pauses to take in the view. Back at the car, there was still time for a stop at the Henry Clay Iron Furnace, which dates back to c. 1834 and is now on the National Register of Historic Place. History buffs take note. The 30-foot-tall pyramidal stone structure was the first steam powered blast furnace in Western Virginia. If you’re wondering about how Coopers Rock gets its name, the unverified account says it derives from a fugitive Cooper who hid from the law among the rocks and made barrels for local residents. Others say it takes its name from the cliffs capping the gorge. Inveterate romantic that I am, I go for the fugitive story. The entire area is part of the 12,747-acre Coopers Rock State Forest. Besides hiking along a choice of 21 trails rated easy to moderate to steep, the area offers biking, cross country skiing, fishing, bird watching and the aforesaid rock climbing. The forest offers two campgrounds. McCollum has 25 sites open to both tents and RVs. It includes a heated bath house and Wi-Fi. Rhododendron has sites for tents only, and both campgrounds are open April 1 to Dec. 15. For cabin lovers, Mountain Creek has eight of them with fully equipped kitchens, hot tubs, porches and fireplaces. For more adventures, head over to the Adventure WV Outdoor Education Center for some zip-line fun. It’s just a quick drive across the bridge from Coopers Rock. Water activities on the Cheat River include canoeing, kayaking, swimming and fishing with Class II white water rafting at the Cheat River Narrows. For more information on the greater area, phone 800-458-7373 or go to www.visitmopuntaineercountry.com. For a handy discount booklet for lodging, dining, activities and shopping, log on to www.MountaineerDeals.com. For a cozy overnight stay, the Morgantown Marriott at 2 Waterfront Place overlooks the Monongahela River. Not only does the hotel have an impressive décor and amenities from Wi-Fi and parking to an indoor pool and fitness center, it also skirts the Mon River Rail Trail. Phone 304-296-1700.

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Elkins man’s body found in river | News, Sports, Jobs - The Intermountain
by DUANE NICHOLS 31 Jul '21

31 Jul '21

https://www.theintermountain.com/news/local-news/2021/07/elkins-mans-body-f… Elkins man’s body found in river From an Article by Edgar Kelley, Staff Writer, Intermountain, July 30, 2021 ELKINS — The body of a 61-year-old Elkins man was found in the water in the Lower Cheat area of Randolph County early Thursday morning. Randolph County Sheriff Rob Elbon was dispatched to a possible drowning at Rattlesnake Run at approximately 6:30 a.m., according to a Sheriff’s Office press release. Once on scene he met with the woman who made the 911 call. Elbon asked the woman to show him where she last saw the victim, and the sheriff was led down a mowed path through the brush trail for nearly a quarter of a mile to a campsite, the release states. Once on the bank of the Cheat River, Elbon looked downstream and could see something in the water nearly halfway across the stream, the press release reads. The Elkins Fire Department with its Water Rescue Equipment had arrived on the scene at this time and they joined Elbon in the search. The responders were able to clearly see a body floating face down in the water. Police photos were taken of the riverbank, the campsite and of the victim. Elkins Fire Department members waded nearly chest deep in the water to recover the victim’s body, the release states. The victim was transported to Davis Medical Center and an autopsy was requested by the Sheriff’s Office. Elbon was assisted on the scene by Sgt. D. Pennington and Deputy T. Knotts, who collected evidence and statements. No further information is available at the time and the case is still under investigation.

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Ongoing Restoration Key to Improving Cheat River Water Quality / Public News Service, June 30, 2021
by DUANE NICHOLS 01 Jul '21

01 Jul '21

https://www.publicnewsservice.org/2021-06-30/water/ongoing-restoration-key-… Ongoing Restoration Key to Improving Cheat River Water Quality West Virginia's Cheat River flows from five major tributaries, known as the "Forks of the Cheat," which originate in the Monongahela National Forest. (Adobe Stock) By Nadia Ramlagan - Producer, Contact. June 30, 2021 MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- June has been National Rivers Month, and in West Virginia, conservation groups are celebrating the results of decades-long efforts to clean up acid mine drainage from the Cheat River. Fish can once again be found in the Cheat Canyon, and both Sovern Run and Big Sandy Creek are almost ready to be removed from the state's list of impaired streams. Stephen Toth, general partner at Blue Gold Development, which has helped with the cleanup project, said the Cheat River is recovering, but treatment should be ongoing to ensure the contamination doesn't return. "It's something that you basically have to do every 10 to 20 years," Toth explained. "Even though we did a project this year, in about 10 to 15 or 20 years, that's probably going to have to happen again. So, funding is of major importance for this." In the past two decades, Cheat River restoration efforts have received more than $5 million in support, and research showed between 2000 and 2013, the restoration work reduced acid mine drainage-related pollution in the Cheat watershed by more than one million pounds, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Toth added the river cleanup has also boosted local tourism and brought more dollars to small businesses. "It means so much to the community that lives here, and also tourism, and brings people from out of state," Toth observed. "It's just remarkable what they've done, and I'm very thankful to be a part of this." Laura Delaney, who owns a brewery in Bruceton Mills, agreed. She said she's watched economic development and quality of life improve with river restoration work. "I mean, this is a rural farming community," Delaney remarked. "We depend, you know, in so many ways, on having a clean water supply." Groups like Friends of the Cheat said they next plan to focus on removing the Albright Power Dam on the Cheat River, arguing reconnecting the Cheat will have positive ecological and economic benefits. ###

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Hiking WV: The Allegheny / Davis Trail (From OLLI @ WVU)
by DUANE NICHOLS 11 Jun '21

11 Jun '21

JUNE 9, 2021MICHELLE Hiking WV: The Allegheny / Davis Trail To be honest, I haven’t been up to doing much of anything since my father passed away, but this past weekend we went up to Blackwater Falls, and took an easy hike on the Davis Trail, which is an easy–and more important beautiful–hike. Being out in the woods really was helpful, once I made myself get out. I’ve talked about this hike before, but it really is lovely, and one of the trails in the Blackwater Falls area that doesn’t get a ton of use, which means we didn’t see many other people, which is always my preference. This section of trail starts at the Blackwater Falls Petting Zoo (which is still not back up and running, FYI), and goes up the mountain to Canaan Loop Road. We went up to the Plantation trail, and then hiked for awhile along there. The first section of the trail we hiked follows along Engine Run Creek. Engine Creek A creek I managed to fall in, while trying to take a picture. Engine Creek Luckily for me, the weather was warm, all my clothes are quick-drying, and my boots are waterproof, so we we were able to keep hiking. The trail is gorgeous. Not only does it run alongside Engine Creek along the Davis trail. The Plantation trail goes through several open fens. And I was delighted to see lots of future snacks. SOURCE: https://olliatwvu.wpcomstaging.com/archives/3763

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Tonight @ 6PM - Virtual Whitewater Preserve Public Hearing
by DUANE NICHOLS 08 Jun '21

08 Jun '21

> From: Friends of the Cheat <amanda(a)cheat.org> > Date: June 8, 2021 at 3:07:48 PM EDT > Subject: Tonight @ 6PM - Virtual Whitewater Preserve Public Hearing > > > > Virtual Whitewater Preserve Public Hearing > June 8th, 2021 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm > Meeting ID: 820 8881 8060 > > Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82088818060 > > Dial in: 1 929-205-6099 (Audio only) > > > Tune in to hear FOC's and concerned citizens' comments regarding Waterfront Group WV, LLC’s application for coverage under the WV/NPDES General Water Pollution Permit No. WV0115924 (Registration No. WVR111041, Whitewater Preserve Project). Share your concerns, as well. > FOC submitted the following comments and will be addressing more during the virtual hearing: > > The permit application does not have any tributaries to Laurel Run displayed, symbolized, or labeled in their plans even though they fall within the limit of disturbance and greater project area, which is very misleading in relation to the number of stream crossings proposed. WVDEP should require these tributaries to be included in the plans and review potential impacts on each. > > There were 52 days in 2020 where precipitation over 24 hours equaled 0.25 inches or greater. The signatories and those held liable to enforce the SWPPP, Groundwater Protection Plan (GPP), and requirements affiliated with the NPDES Construction Stormwater permit are addressed to Shepherdstown, WV, an approximate 2 hours and 30 minute drive away from the project site, and Cornelius, North Carolina, an approximate 6 hour drive away from the project site. Who will be on the ground in a daily capacity to administer and enforce the regulations related to the SWPP, GPP, and requirements affiliated with the NPDES Construction Stormwater permit? > > There are already Notices of Violation issued by WVDEP on this project. Miles of road were cleared, graded, and constructed without any permits in place that are required by law. This includes two stream crossings that were built over Laurel Run and a tributary, with no assessments for potential impacts to these streams or review to determine if the crossings are appropriately sized. We are requesting that WVDEP, WVDNR, Army Corps of Engineers, and the WV Department of Transportation review these crossings to determine if they are adequately sized for integrity of water quality, aquatic organism passage, and structural safety. > > As it stands currently, this permit application vastly lacks the appropriate sediment and erosion controls to prevent degradation of water quality to Laurel Run and Big Sandy Creek. The WVDEP should enforce its requirement of additional sediment and erosion controls, such as sediment basins. > > Property owners within the development are responsible for their own construction activities. Will property owners be able to move forward with their individual construction during construction of the activities proposed under Permit Application Number WVR11104? If so, how will inspectors be able to determine sources of erosion and/or sediment if projects are occurring concurrently? > > Based on independent calculations, there is reason to believe there will be a greater than 10% increase in post-development peak discharge due to exaggerations in drainage areas in the permit application. The calculations in the application should be reviewed in detail by the WVDEP to determine their accuracy. > > There is no formal Groundwater Protection Plan (GPP) document attached. Will the Applicant be required to create and submit a signed GPP document that will be held on site at all times? > > There are four endangered species within the project boundary. The NPDES permit process, specifically the Source Water Pollution Protection Plan (SWPPP), requires the applicant to list these species and include documentation regarding authorization under the Endangered Species Act, comprehensive site assessments, and/or Best Management Practices that are protective of listed endangered and threatened species and.or critical habitat. The applicant has only provided the species list, but no further documentation. WVDEP should enforce its requirement for the applicant to provide the above information. > > There are significant cultural resources within the project boundary. A State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) representative or cultural resources consultant should review these resources and determine the best course of action for preservation of these resources. > > FOC also has concerns about public access to one of our most beloved areas, an area that many dreamed would become public land one day. Access will be limited or discontinued to members of the public, such as boaters and Allegheny Trail thru-hikers. FOC will continue to inquire about access developments. > Our mailing address is: > Friends of the Cheat > 1343 North Preston Highway > Kingwood WV, WV 26537 > >

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Bimonthly Water Quality Sampling - ORSANCO
by Duane Nichols 26 Apr '21

26 Apr '21

Bimonthly Water Quality Sampling - ORSANCO The Bimonthly Water Quality Sampling Program is ORSANCO’s long-term water quality monitoring program for the Ohio River. The monitoring program began in 1975 and has a continuous record through the present day at 29 locations: 15 stations on the main stem of the Ohio River and 14 points near the mouth of major tributaries. The program’s six-sample annual design provides long-term trend monitoring of the Ohio River while maintaining an ability to evaluate attainment of water quality criteria. Samples are collected every second month, in January, March, May, July, September, and November. Water Quality Parameters Ammonia as Nitrogen Bromide Chloride Hardness (as CaCO3) Nitrate Nitrite pH Specific Conductivity Sulfate Temperature Total Dissolved Solids Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen Total Organic Carbon Total Phenolics Total Phosphorus Total Suspended Solids Sample Locations Most samples are collected from United States Army Corps of Engineers Locks and Dams, the remainder are collected from bridge or bank locations. The Bimonthly Sampling Program Monitoring Stations are (Ohio River confluence mile points are given for tributary stations with tributary mile points enclosed in parenthesis): Allegheny River at Pittsburgh, Ohio River Mile 0.0, (-7.4) Monongahela River at South Pittsburgh, Ohio River Mile 0.0, (-4.5) Beaver River at Beaver Falls, Ohio River Mile 25.4, (-5.3) Ohio River at New Cumberland, Mile 54.4 Ohio River at Pike Island, Mile 84.2 Ohio River at Hannibal, Mile 126.4 Ohio River at Willow Island, Mile 161.8 Muskingum River at Marietta, Ohio River Mile 172.2, (-0.8) Ohio River at Belleville, Mile 203.9 Kanawha River at Winfield, Ohio River Mile 265.7, (-31.1) Ohio River at R.C. Byrd, Mile 279.2 Big Sandy River at Louisa, Ohio River Mile 317.1, (-20.3) Ohio River at Greenup, Mile 341 Scioto River at Lucasville, Ohio River Mile 356.5, (-15) Ohio River at Meldahl, Mile 436.2 Little Miami River at Newtown, Ohio River Mile 464.1, (-7.5) Licking River at Covington, Ohio River Mile 470.2, (-4.5) Great Miami River at Elizabethtown, Ohio River Mile 491.1, (-5.2) Ohio River at Markland, Mile 531.5 Ohio River at McAlpine, Mile 606.8 Ohio River at Cannelton, Mile 720.7 Green River at Sebree, Ohio River Mile 784.2, (-41.3) Ohio River at Newburgh, Mile 776 Ohio River at J.T. Myers, Ohio R. Mile 846 Wabash River at Route 62 Bridge, Ohio River Mile 848, (-32.5) Ohio River at Smithland, Mile 918.5 Cumberland River at Pinkneyville, Ohio River Mile 920.4, (-16) Tennessee River at Paducah, Ohio River Mile 934.5, (-6) Ohio River at L&D 52, Mile 938.9 (this location to be phased out during 2018-2019) Ohio River at Olmsted L&D, Mile 964.6 Grab Sample Methods River water samples are collected as near to the centerline of the river as possible from lockchamber guidewalls, bridges, and in some cases from raw water intake lines. To sample from outside structures an acid, distilled, and native water-rinsed bailer, stainless steel bucket, or Kemmerer sampler is used with sufficient nylon rope attached to reach the river surface. Samples are transferred from the collection device to a likewise triple-rinsed ten-liter plastic carboy. The sample water is distributed from the carboy to sample bottles, each containing preservative if required by the analytical methods to be employed. For more information on the Bimonthly Water Quality Sampling Program, please contact Ryan Argo. http://www.orsanco.org/programs/bimonthly-water-quality-sampling/

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‘We have a lot to lose now': FOC water chemistry results cause concern after T&T Mine event
by Duane Nichols 24 Apr '21

24 Apr '21

> 'We have a lot to lose now': FOC water chemistry results cause concern after T&T Mine event > > https://www.dominionpost.com/2021/04/23/we-have-a-lot-to-lose-now-foc-water… Gabriella Brown, The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va. Sat, April 24, 2021, 12:01 AM·5 min read Apr. 24—MORGANTOWN — Chemistry test results collected by Friends of the Cheat has caused the organization concern over the long-term impacts the T &T Mine event may have on aquatic life. "We have a lot to lose now, " said FOC Executive Director Amanda Pitzer. "And we need to fight to protect that." In early March, rainfall and snowmelt caused 6, 200 gallons per minute of highly acidic water to discharge from the former T &T Mine. The site typically treats about 4, 200 gallons of water per minute and can sustain up to 7, 600 gpm ; however, the sudden increase led the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection Muddy Creek Pipeline and T &T Treatment Plant to fail. > This allowed more than one million gallons of highly acidic water to bypass the plant over the course of the event. > Terry Fletcher, WVDEP acting communications director, said stream conditions for Muddy Creek and the Cheat River returned to normal a few days later, and the pH of Muddy Creek returned back to preferred water quality limits. > > What the test results conducted by FOC may reveal Although water quality returned to normal, Pitzer said water chemistry results recently retrieved by FOC show the discharge may have had a severe impact on the stream's aquatic life. > > Aluminum and iron are two types of metals found in acid mine drainage to which some aquatic species are highly sensitive. Pitzer said water samples collected during the discharge revealed dissolved aluminum levels reached nearly seven times more than the state water quality standard for aquatic life, and over 50 times the standard for trout. > > Iron levels reached 10 times over the standard for aquatic life as well as for human recreational contact, meaning the waterway was not safe for human contact. > > Downstream, dissolved aluminum levels reached almost nine times higher than the standard for aquatic life, and 74 times greater for trout. Iron was 15 times greater for aquatic life and human recreational contact. These iron conditions reached as far as three-quarters of a mile downstream. > > "If this were to have just been a one-day event, I think that everyone could maybe take a deep breath and say, 'OK, the fish could probably weather that, ' " Pitzer said. "But this went on for several days." > > Fletcher said no impacts to wildlife have been documented and Muddy Creek is in better shape today than it has been for decades. > > Pitzer said one of her main concerns is lack of communication, as the public was not made aware until several days after the discharge began. She said FOC became aware of the incident only after seeing acid mine drainage during a routine check-up March 4. > > Fletcher said this delay in communication occurred because the changes seen March 1 were not alarming. > > "The WVDEP noticed changes in the chemistry of the water coming out of the mine early in the week of the event, " Fletcher said. "But those changes were not alarming because changes in chemistry of water discharging from a former mine site is not uncommon." > > Due to a decrease in water quality from the mine, WVDEP modified treatment at Fickey Run by shutting off the upstream site and treating the stream with in-stream dosers. > > "This is an effective treatment option under normal flow conditions and the downstream monitoring point in Muddy Creek showed the water to be within water quality standards, " Fletcher said. > > Fletcher said there was no indication that flow out of the mine would increase later in the week and the decision to modify treatment had no effect on the conveyance pipe issue that occurred. He said the WVDEP became aware of the damage to the conveyance pipe March 4 and issued a statement the following day. > > Moving towards prevention strategies FOC and the WVDEP are now turning to prevention strategies rather than treating the symptoms of this type of incident. > > "If we can prevent water from getting into that mine pool, we stop the chemical reaction that creates acid mine drainage before it starts, " Pitzer said. "If water continues to get into that mine pool, we're going to produce acid mine drainage forever. That's not an exaggeration." > > Fletcher said the WVDEP is working with the WVU Water Research Institute, experts in the public and private sectors, and FOC to identify causation and develop solutions to prevent future events. He said prevention is not guaranteed, especially since the agency cannot confirm what caused this past event. > > In its newsletter, FOC outlined several action statements discussed during a meeting led by the WVDEP to discuss possible preventative measures: > > — Reactivation of the piezometers, which measure liquid pressure, for measuring water levels in the mine pool and a mapping analysis to determine where additional piezometers could be installed. > > — Use high-resolution Light Detection and Ranging and ground-truthing to look for potential stream loss areas in Sypolt Run (spots where surface water is disappearing through cracks in the stream bed and into the mine pool). > > — Investigate the need and feasibility to treat mine pool on site with chemicals. > > — Use potable water at treatment plant so both clarifiers can be operated at 100 % capacity. > > — Continue work to construct new sludge line to the Ruthbell mine. > > — Construct an iron oxidation bed at Fickey Refuse Abandoned Mine Land site. > > — Increase the frequency of line jetting. > > — Share emergency Standard Operating Procedure with FOC. > > Water quality has given the WVDEP and FOC a snapshot into how aquatic life may have been impacted. Until researchers are able to survey firsthand now and in the fall which species remain in the stream, it is impossible to know what was affected. > > "If I go out and I dip my cup in the water, that's only going to tell me what's happening in the water at that moment, " Pitzer said. "When we are able to go out and see the bugs and the fish—they have to live there, so they give you a more holistic view of long-term what's been happening in that river stream." > > Real-time updates on Muddy Creek water quality from the Friends of the Cheat monitoring station can be found at: > > www.cheat.org /our-work /muddy-creek-gauge-live-data-stream /

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