July 26, 2000
After a long and sometimes bitter battle, a clean-up is finally being launched of one of the nation's biggest contamination problems.
And for many of you in Salt Lake County, the problem is right under your feet: A drinking-water aquifer poisoned by a century of mining.
Environment Specialist John Hollenhorst has the story.
When mining companies tore open the Oquirrh Mountains, natural contaminents began seeping into groundwater.
Now, a vast invisible plume stretches east under the floor of the Salt Lake Valley.
Fifty-four
square miles are contaminated, reaching under several cities to the Jordan River. In the worst places, the aquifer is actually sulfuric acid, not water.
And the mining industry is learning a costly lesson.
EVA HOFFMAN/U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY: "THAT IS, THAT IT IS FAR CHEAPER TO PREVENT THE POLLUTION THAN IT IS TO HAVE TO CLEAN IT UP AFTERWARDS."
JON CALLENDER/KENNECOTT COPPER: "TODAY THAT MAKES ALL THE SENSE IN THE WORLD. BUT 50 YEARS AGO PEOPLE WEREN'T THINKING ABOUT THOSE KIND OF PROBLEMS."
Participants in a bus tour today heard cleanup plans agreed to by Kennecott and several government agencies.
They'll drill about 20 wells, lay 24 miles of pipeline, build two new high-tech treatment plants. Jordan Valley Water District will wholesale the cleaned up water to its customers, including several cities.
JON CALLENDER/KENNECOTT COPPER: "I THINK IT IS A GOOD SOLUTION. IN FACT, I'M VERY PROUD OF WHAT WE'VE DONE."
JOHN HOLLENHORST REPORTING: "THERE HASN'T ALWAYS BEEN A SPIRIT OF COOPERATION ON THESE ISSUES. IN FACT NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN KENNECOTT AND VARIOUS GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IN THE 1980'S HAVE BEEN DESCRIBED AS DOWNRIGHT UGLY."
Ten years ago, the state agreed to let Kennecott off the hook with a $12 million damage payment. Jordan District officials said it was a cheap sellout.
RICHARD BAY/JORDAN VALLEY WATER CONSERVANCY DISTRICT: "KENNECOTT AND THE STATE HAD ESSENTIALLY AGREED TO THROW UP THEIR HANDS AND TO SAY THAT THE WATER COULD NOT BE TREATED."
The water district beat the deal in court. Kennecott subsequently paid $36 million, eventually, perhaps $80 million for groundwater cleanup. The water district will spend nearly $20 million over 50 years. That's why some critics don't like the deal.
ROD DANSIE/WATER COMPANY OWNER: "THE MAYORS OF THE TOWNS ARE ALL HAPPY BECAUSE THEY'RE ALL GETTING MORE WATER FOR GROWTH. AND THAT PROTECTS THEIR JOBS. THE ONLY GUY THAT'S GETTING IT IS THE CONSUMER THAT HAS TO PAY THAT WATER BILL. AND THAT WILL BE FOR ETERNITY. AT A HIGHER COST."
But district officials say the deal actually saves money. It would cost even more to develop other water sources.
But don't expect that invisible underground plume to go away. Even with the cleanup effort going full-time, the contamination is expected to remain up to 800 years.
The E.P.A. is seeking public comment on the proposed cleanup plan for the next 30 days.
