PEYTONA, W.Va. — The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection began an investigation Thursday into the cause of a coal slurry leak in Boone County.
The waste leaked into Crooked Run near Peytona. Crooked Run flows into Drawdy Creek, which feeds into the Coal River.
An Imminent Harm Cessation Order was issued for the Admiral Processing operation. The amount of coal slurry leaked is being investigated.
Inspectors with the Division of Mining and Reclamation said they believe the leak was caused by a burst pipe at the processing facility.
The nearest public water system to the leak is the Lincoln County Public Service District. The PSD has an intake 17 miles downstream on the Coal River.
St. Albans Municipal Utility also has an intake on the river, which is 35 miles downstream.
Officials at both of those plants have been notified of the spill. Both intakes will be shut down overnight, according to the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health. The agency said the move should not affect water supply.
The bureau will contact both plants if officials notice changes in water supply.