Concern is growing over the three and a half million gallons of drinking water the Tennessee Valley Authority plans to use from the Memphis sands aquifer to cool generators at the Allen Combined Cycle Gas Plant under construction.
It was standing room only at tongiht’s meeting hosted by the Western Tennessee Chapter of the Sierra Club where some speakers expressed concern that the TVA decision to drill five wells into the aquifer rather than purchase water from MLGW will affect the quality of our drinking water.
Others are suspicious that TVA did not seek public comment and explore questions about alternatives before switching to drinking water as a coolant from it’s previous plan to use grey wastewater.
No one disputes the Allen Combined Cycle Gas Plant will be far more efficient and cleaner than the current coal plant servicing Memphis. But Memphians at Thursday’s meeting worried how the drilling will affect the quality of Memphis’ world famous water.
“They have not yet been able to determine how fast the aquifer recharges, and without knowing that we don’t know really how long it is going to last and we should be making careful decisions about any use of it. This is a considerable use of it. Two percent of the daily draw,” said Scott Banbury.
But Chris Stanley, a spokesperson for TVA, said all data showed TVA’s actions are safe for the aquifer and city.
“We did a survey by the U.S. Geological Service. We asked them to do an independent survey to make sure we were doing the best for the aquifer and that is important,” said Stanley. “We did the best, what we believe is the best, for the aquifer and the city.”
Stanley said the water used to cool the plant will be 99% recyclable and he insists the system requires pristine water instead of grey waste water, Mississippi water or water from another aquifer.
“The reason why is we would need to, because of the equipment the new technology, clean that water even more so that’s gonna add about six million dollars in cost. That cost we would pass along to ratepayers because we are a nonprofit organization,” Stanley said.
“Another alternative that they have examined, and I believe they are still prepared to maybe act on, is actually purchasing that water from the City of Memphis, which does the opposite. It up helps lower everyone else’s rates,” said Banbury
TVA does plan to purchase MLGW water, according to Stanley, who says the wells will supplement and back up intermittent flow of MLGW water delivery.
Attendees tonight expressed concern and interest in answers and written commitments from TVA.
