14 DAY TRIAL // According to a new report made available to the public by West Virginia's Downstream Strategies, as many as 62 facilities in this state currently threaten to pollute the Elk River.
As detailed in said report, these facilities are all located along said water source and, according to Think Progress, they all represent “potential significant contaminant sources.”
This means that, should they, for one reason or another, experience a spill, odds are that the Elk River would be affected to a significant extent.
Interestingly enough, West Virginia's Downstream Strategies says that, back in 2002, when a similar report was published by the state's Bureau for Public Health, just 51 “potential significant contaminant sources” could be found in the Elk River's proximity.
In light of these findings, and also taking into consideration that, just last month, West Virginia was hit by a major chemical spill, the folks at Downstream Strategies urge that the business agenda of the 62 potential pollution sources be closely monitored.
“The circumstances that led to contamination of the Elk River are examples of what could happen to many communities if they do not engage in proper planning and if regulatory agencies do not provide proper oversight,” they say.
Furthermore, “In some cases, tighter regulations are also warranted. Populations in Morgantown, Huntington, and cities and towns across the state are at risk if PSCSs are not accurately identified, and if risks from these sites are not managed.”