CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Nearly 1 million people depend on Mountain Island Lake and the Catawba River for clean, safe drinking water and Catawba Riverkeeper David Merryman wants to make sure it is, in fact, clean and safe.
So, Merryman and several volunteers went out on the lake to take samples of the water, sediment and fish for testing that will determine if there is contamination by eight heavy metals or PCB.
Merryman said he will be surprised if the water comes back clean.
"Right now, in North Carolina, there is a fish advisory for the consumption of largemouth bass, specifically for mercury and that is one of the metals we will be sampling for," Merryman said.
If there is indeed pollution, Merryman says Duke Energy's Riverbend coal plant will be part of the problem.
"Absolutely, that is one of the prime sources for heavy metal contamination in the river," he said.
A Duke spokesman, Andy Thompson, said the plant has permits for discharging into the river. Thompson said the plant "is in full compliance" with regulations and is "absolutely not polluting Mountain Island Lake."
While the samples were being collected, fisherman Gary Costner hauled his boat out of the water. In a well on the boat were several large catfish and striped bass.
Costner said he looked forward to eating the fish and said he did not worry about eating fish from the lake.
"Haven't had a problem in 51 years," Costner said.
However, while he feels the fish are safe, Costner did say, "I appreciate what they are doing out here as well."
Merryman said he expects to have test results on the samples in the first week of June and will hold a news conference to announce the results.
