New water testing approved for Juliette amid allegations of contaminated water

JULIETTE, Ga. - Following recent claims of contaminated water, the Monroe County Board of Commissioners has agreed to fund further testing of water in Juliette.

Citizens in Juliette believe coal ash from Plant Scherer has contaminated their groundwater supply. Coal ash is a by-product of burning coal and contains several different types of heavy metals.

The Altamaha Riverkeeper Organization has completed testing of water in Juliette in recent weeks and claims to have found presence of contaminants in the water.

In a media release Wednesday morning, Monroe County Commissioner Eddie Rowland said the commission will complete two separate water safety studies in the coming weeks.

Rowland says the first study will take water samples from at least 50 different private well locations across Monroe County. Their goal is to determine whether the contaminants found in recent water testing near Plant Scherer are naturally occurring or are confined to the area near the plant. Monroe County Manager Jim Hedges says this study will cost $10,000. The results are expected back within 7 to 10 days of testing.

The study will look for levels of Hexavalent Chromium. That is a compound associated with an increased risk of cancer according to the National Cancer Institute. According to the Altamaha Riverkeeper Organization, they have found high levels of hexavalent chromium, in some cases, in excess of 10 parts per billion.

A second study has also been approved and will be completed by a Duke University student and professor. They will conduct an independent study of 10 to 12 wells within two miles of Plant Scherer. That testing is expected to take place March 14, 2020. Commissioners have agreed to fund the flight and rental car costs involved in the on-site testing by Duke University.

Dozens of residents visited the State Capitol Monday to express their concerns to lawmakers. People who live in Juliette are urging state legislators to enact a bill requiring Georgia Power to line the bottom of its coal ash pond to prevent coal ash from seeping into the groundwater table used by nearby private wells.

John Kraft with Georgia Power tells WGXA News they conduct routine testing using 57 monitoring wells at Plant Scherer's coal ash pond. Kraft says their testing shows nothing above standards, citing federal and state regulations.

WGXA News has asked the EPA to confirm Georgia Power's claims.

Meanwhile, as a solution, Juliette residents have asked Monroe County officials to bring county water services to the city. Commissioners said Tuesday the cost of bringing county water to Juliette could be nearly $20-million and would take at least two years to complete.

A new public town hall meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, February 27, 2020 at 6 p.m. at Maynard Baptist Church.