We want to express our empathy to all who are dealing with this inexcusable failure by the state to prevent this disaster, despite repeated complaints. ADEM inspected the site on December 2nd, 2020, and documented unauthorized waste at the site, but did not conduct a follow-up inspection until August 10, 2022, choosing to trust an operator with a history of allowing illegal dumping. At that time, ADEM did not document the numerous tires that were dumped throughout the site, nor did they attempt to see what was buried under all the tree waste that had been piled on top of the unauthorized waste.
We have visited the site multiple times in the last several weeks, including December 21st, 2022, when we collected water samples from two discharge areas we were able to identify. Our sample results indicate the presence of substances known to cause human health issues, and the general water quality is very poor, with little to no oxygen, high levels of dissolved solids, and downstream water temperatures in excess of 90 degrees. The potential water quality impacts are complicated, and we will continue to detail the risk and exposure in a future release.
In addition to the concerns about the chemical components of the runoff, we are also concerned about the volume of exposed dirt and ash that will wash off-site during each rain. ADEM has disclaimed any responsibility for ensuring the site does not continue to pollute the air or water until AFTER the fire is put out, despite the fact that approximately 25 acres of exposed dirt sit right on top of a tributary to Black Creek. If nothing else, ADEM should require the responsible party to apply for an NPDES permit for the active land disturbance.
With little idea about what may be buried at the site and the high cost of lab analysis, we elected to sample first for Semi-volatile organic compounds and chemical oxygen demand. Neither of the two inspections ADEM has conducted since the fire started have identified any potential water quality issues, nor has ADEM shared any sample results, if any have been taken. It is important to note that our samples were taken during dry weather and the results are not indicative of what else may be leaving the site when it rains.
We also appreciate our friends at GASP who have installed air monitors in the area to help understand the magnitude of air pollution.
We will continue to monitor the site and water quality impacts until the fire is extinguished and the site is no longer polluting our air and water.