Watersheds Compact Push for TDS Standard

The group is urging lawmakers to pass legislation.

The State Journal
5 February 2011
By Macall Allen

MORGANTOWN -- The West Virginia and Pennsylvania Monongahela Area Watersheds Compact is asking state lawmakers to consider legislation regarding water quality.

Representatives handed out letters in Charleston Monday.

They're asking lawmakers to set a total dissolved solids (TDS) in stream standard of 500 parts per million as proposed by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection Agency.

"We've come to a crisis in our streams where the total dissolve solids has increased to the point that it's a health hazard. Our drinking water is at stake and if we don't do something we're going to endanger hundred of thousands of people," said Duane Nichols, W.Va./Pa/ Monongahela Area Watersheds Compact.

The Compact includes about 50 organizations which share a concern about drinking water quality.