Bromides: Where forth they come
Bromides: Where forth they come
A lot of study is going into bromides being found in the local waterways. There has been a lot of finger pointing as to who or whom is to blame for the increase in these chemicals in our area. Some have put the blame on West Virginia as the main contributor to the problems with bromides. After hearing such a claim, I decided to investigate that possibility.
An excellent source of data concerning the water quality in the Mon River is the West Virginia Research Institute (WRI) located in Morgantown, W.Va. A good friend of mine heads the WRI, Dr. Paul Ziemkiewicz, who has been gathering data for years on the quality of water in the Mon River. WRI has set up continual monitoring devices and is keeping records on the findings. In Pennsylvania, there are monitors on Dunkard Creek, Whiteley Creek, Ten Mile Creek and both the Mon and the Youghiogheny Rivers.
This data is placed on their web-site for public viewing. In fact, WRI was given a regional award for their comprehensive studies and they are currently in the running for a national award. WRI, the Izaak Walton League (IWLA) of Greene and Washington Counties and many other groups have been working together to establish a current baseline of water quality for the total Mon River in both Pa. and W.Va.
In our area, the IWLA is currently providing data on the Greene County headwater streams so as to better locate sources of anomalies. Soon, with the cooperation of many groups, there will be a clearer picture of the total Mon River basin. An updated website is now in the process of being completed at WRI. When finished, the program will enable anyone to check the water quality of the total Mon River basin. With this in mind, I felt that the WRI was the best source to find out about bromides in the Mon River and some of its tributaries. Here are some of the results of the investigation.
The Mon River in West Virginia is not presently causing the bromide problem in Pa. The bromide level in the Mon at the state line is showing a reading of .03 mg/l. This is equivalent to 30 parts per billion (ppb). By now most of us know that there is a direct relationship between bromides and Trihalomethane (THM). The EPA has set a standard of 80 ppb, or .08mg/l of THM for drinking water safety. These lower levels indicate that it is highly unlikely that bromide levels coming from W.Va. are the cause of the THM problems in Pa. The readings of bromide in the Mon in Pa. are higher than those found at the state line. At Masontown in April 2011, the bromide level in the Mon was 30 ppb. In November 2011, at the same location, the bromide level was 460 ppb, and on Dec. 15, 2011, the bromide level was 30 ppb again. Interesting variations, so let us compare the two locations and see what might be causing the source of these bromides.
At the state line, the bromide level was .030 mg/l or 30 ppb and at Masontown, the bromide level was .464 mg/l or 460 ppb. The monitor in the Mon River below Whiteley Creek revealed some very important data. On Nov. 16, 2011, the bromide reading was 1.9 mg/l or 1900 ppb and the river flow rate was 7300 cubic feet per second (cfs). On Dec. 15, 2011, the bromide reading at that spot was 1.67 mg/l or 1670 ppb; however the river flow rate was 17,000 cfs. This would lead someone to conclude that there may be a problem around the Whiteley Creek egress into the Mon. If you check the data from Emerald bleeder No 5, in August 2011, the bromide reading was 11.015 mg/l or 11,015 ppb entering Frosty Run, which enters into Whitely Creek. The evidence seems to suggest that there may be a connection between the two. In addition to this, in August 2011, outfall 029 at Cumberland Mine was adding bromides at a level of 1.843 mg/l or 1843 ppb, and one might begin to see the pieces of the puzzle coming together. When Whiteley Creek near Kirby was sampled in August 2011, the results showed a reading for bromide of .646 mg/l or 646 ppb. This is not the only source of bromides entering the Mon. Ten Mile Creek at Clarksville showed a bromide reading of 1.73 mg/l or 1730 ppb in November 2011, yet in December 2011 the readings fell to .03 mg/l or 30 ppb.
What event occurred during this time frame? The Clyde Mine discharge near Clarksville was shut down at that time. The IWLA of Greene County has requested that a bromide test be run on the Clyde Mine discharge when the mine water begins to flow again. The California office of the Department of Environmental Protection has assured the IWLA that such testing would take place and that the results would be made public.
A very important point to make note of is that on April 12, 2012, at the Performing Arts Center at Waynesburg University there will be an informational meeting open to the public to let you know what is being found in the water and what is being done to correct the problem. There will be several local experts presenting programs, and there will be a question and answer session after the speaking. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and speaking will begin at 7 p.m. The public is urged to attend.
Remember that we have been blessed with many gifts; let us protect and use them wisely.