WINIFREDE, W.Va. — The state DEP said Thursday five samples taken from an eastern Kanawha County creek and the Kanawha River following a Tuesday coal slurry spill showed non-detect levels for MCHM.
More than 100,000 gallons of slurry spilled into Fields Creek near Winifrede following an equipment malfunction at Kanawha Eagle Prep Plant owned by Patriot Coal. Patriot had stopped using MCHM in the processing of coal. MCHM was the chemical that spilled from Freedom Industries into the Elk River Jan. 9 that began a water emergency in parts of nine counties.
The DEP said Thursday the coal slurry spill impacted approximately six miles of Fields Creek. Three samples for MCHM were taken from Fields Creek and two from the Kanawha River. All came back at non-detect. The agency said there will be additional sampling.
The prep plant remains closed. It’s under a cessation order from the DEP as the investigation into the spill continues.