Mountain Island Lake Impaired

— filed under: water, Charlotte area, pollution

NC Division of Water Quality's draft 2010 Impaired Waterbodies List includes a large portion of Mountain Island Lake, the main drinking water supply for the Cities of Charlotte, Gastonia and Mount Holly.

Mountain Island Lake: Photo by Catawba Riverkeeper

Charlotte's water source 'impaired'

Acidic water, while not harmful to drink, threatens fish and other river life

By Bruce Henderson

Part of Mountain Island Lake, the main water source for Charlotte and Gastonia, has for the first time made North Carolina's list of "impaired" waters.

For reasons experts don't yet know, water readings in the lower lake turned slightly acidic. Five other places on the Catawba River, and four in the Yadkin basin east of Charlotte, also made this year's bad-water list for the same reason.

Acidic water isn't harmful to drink, but it threatens fish and other aquatic life.

"In a large way, it's showing that our primary drinking water source is being impacted by more troubles," said Catawba Riverkeeper David Merryman.

To continue reading, please visit the Charlotte Observer's website by clicking here.

Document Actions

Upcoming Events: Lake Wylie Covekeeper Meeting T-Bones on the Lake,
Feb 08, 2012; Lake James Covekeeper Meeting 4794 E. Shores Dr., Morganton, NC,
Feb 09, 2012; Lake Wateree Covekeeper Mtg Dutchman Creek VFD,
Feb 09, 2012; Mountain Island Lake Covekeepers Monthly Meeting Cook's Presbyterian Church,
Feb 13, 2012; Lake Hickory Covekeeper meeting Hickory, NC,
Feb 20, 2012; Lake Norman Covekeeper Mtg East Lincoln Fire Department, 406 S. Pilot Knob Road, Stanley, NC,
Feb 23, 2012; Lake James Covekeeper Meeting 4794 E. Shores Dr., Morganton, NC,
Mar 08, 2012; Lake Wateree Covekeeper Mtg Dutchman Creek VFD,
Mar 08, 2012; Women's Only Kayak Trip The Landing - 5474 Waterworks Rd., Granite Falls, NC,
Mar 10, 2012; Mountain Island Lake Covekeepers Monthly Meeting Cook's Presbyterian Church,
Mar 12, 2012; Upcoming events…

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