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AK STEEL ORDERED TO REDUCE NITRATE DISCHARGES AND PROVIDE SAFE DRINKING WATER FOR RESIDENTS
Release Date: 06/09/2000
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FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 2000
AK STEEL ORDERED TO REDUCE NITRATE DISCHARGES AND PROVIDE SAFE DRINKING WATER FOR RESIDENTS
On June 7, EPA issued an emergency order to AK Steel Corp., to provide an alternative water source to more than 4,000 people in Zelienople, Pa., and to reduce dangerous nitrate discharges from its steel mill. Since 1995, AK Steel has more than tripled its waste discharges into Connoquenessing Creek, as much as 29,000 pounds per day, causing
dangerously high concentrations of nitrate. The Creek is a major drinking water source for the city of Zelienople. Water samples routinely show nitrate levels above the national standard of 10 milligrams (mg/l). The creek sometimes shows nitrates as high as 100 mg/l, and registered a peak of 175 mg/l on Oct. 26, 1999. The order requires AK Steel to identify all people who draw drinking water from the polluted waterway, including public and private wells near Connoquenessing Creek; to provide an alternate source of clean water; and in the long term, to reduce its nitrate discharges by October 2001. Drinking water with high concentrations of nitrates can cause serious illness and death in infants under six months of age from a condition known as “blue baby syndrome.” For the past two years bottled water has been provided to pregnant women and infants at the City’s expense. EPA’s order today requires an alternate water source (such as bottled water) for all customers of the Zelienople water system, and shifts the cost to AK Steel. Copies of the order can be obtained at: http://www.epa.gov. For more information, contact David Sternberg at 215-814-5548.
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