Water Quality on Tap for Debate
State and industry facing off on opposite banks in flap over total
dissolved solids
Morgantown Dominion Post editorial
11 October 2010
EDITORIAL
The debate flowed back and forth at the West Virginia Water Conference
last week in Morgantown. At some point early next year, the state
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will propose new standards
for pollutants in our waterways to the Legislature. The pollutants are
referred to as total dissolved solids (TDS), which are salts, chlorides
and a host of other chemical compounds. Either these proposed standards
are going to run up against a dam, rush through the rapids, or meander
through some twists and turns. Our guess is that this legislation will
follow the latter course. The issue for now is the milligrams per liter
standard for TDS. The DEP is proposing a 500 milligrams per liter mark,
the mark for a public drinking water source. However, many believe that
standard is far too strict to apply to all of West Virginia’s
waterways, including small streams. Opposition to that standard will
more than likely include the West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas
Association, coal industry lobbyists, many legislators and others.
At last week’s forum, one representative of the natural gas industry
said a 1,000-milligrams-per-liter standard would be more appropriate.
Opponents of the 500 milligrams standard argue that this measure is
stricter than what the Environmental Protection Agency requires and
that many of our waterways are not or never will be used for drinking
water.
Supporters of the DEP’s proposal counter that just because a waterway
doesn’t serve as a public drinking water source does not mean it never
will be.
Bills have also been introduced in past regular legislative sessions
that also call for the 500 milligram standard. Though it may appear the
battle lines are already being drawn, we are more excited that the
stakeholders are simply at the table.
Both sides may be far apart on their proposed standards and how and
what waterways that they would apply, however, we like to think there’s
room for discussion.
Obviously, statewide standards are needed for our waterways. And it
stands to reason that the state government should be proactive and
protect our streams and rivers. Whether to apply different standards to
different waterways, or during different periods of flows, how the DEP
will monitor and enforce such regulations are some of the questions.
There is a sense of urgency to enacting new regulations, but there’s
still time to do this right. And although everyone is not going to be
satisfied, there’s also room for some ebb and flow in these
regulations.