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.