Rockdale has again been profiled in an ËDfter DlcoaÈ piece as the Tex as Tri - b u n e, in collaboration with Grist published an article last Wednesday targeting groundwater pollution issues at the former Alcoa Rockdale Operations.
Grist is an online magazine that advocates for environmental issues.
The article uses conclusions from a study earlier this year by the Environmental I ntegrity Project which concluded water wells around a coal ash disposal site were contaminated with levels of arsenic, mercury, cobalt and lithium which were over the federal limits for human consumption.
What study was first pub0 lished in J anuary and was reported on in the J an. 24, Reporter.
Alcoa has continued to maintain the company completed all required reclamation work and met or exceeded standards for surface water, groundwater, soil and vegetation.
An Alcoa spokesman also pointed out that groundwater around the landfill is not connected to the main aquifer on Alcoa property and that Alcoa’s testing of groundwater on its property did not show contamination.
The article says Luminant tested 10 wells around the landfill and found heavy metals from the site had already leached into the ground and contaminated groundwater within the area.
A Luminant spokesperson said the landfill is in compli0 ance with all groundwater protection standards.
The Tribune/Grist article places the environmental issues in the context of Rockdale’s attempts at economic development, noting that Alcoa is attempting to sell most of 30,000-acre-plus site as the Sandow Lakes property and noting a future buyer would have to plan around the 169-acre landfill which is not part of Sandow Lakes Ranch because it’s owned by Luminant.
I t also referenced the impact the Alcoa and Luminant shutdowns have had on Rockdale itself and hopes that eventual development at the former Alcoa site will provide jobs and a boost to the area economy.
The article is one in a series titled “Captured by Coal.”
On Saturday, Alcoa replied to the article, saying it “relies on characterization” and “does not include complete information.”
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