Over 5 Million Gallons Of Ash Waste Flows From MN Coal Plant

ITASCA, MN — Five and 1/2 million gallons of wastewater spilled from a coal power plant in Cohasset last week, according to the utility company, Minnesota Power.

The new number is more than five times larger than the original estimate.

The wastewater has since flowed to Blackwater Creek, Blackwater Lake, and other areas, impacting aquatic life, wild rice beds, and soil.

Authorities believe the leak began from an underground pipe and surfaced where the pipe extends above ground. Minnesota Power reported the incident at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday to the Minnesota Duty Officer, stating that a spill of coal wastewater was discovered at 11:15 a.m. but the spill was no longer active.

Minnesota Power reported that the cause of the spill was a loss of pump pressure.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have been onsite since the spill Tuesday, and officials continue to investigate and oversee the mitigation efforts.

Initial testing shows that sulfate levels are below the drinking water standard and above Minnesota’s wild rice-based standard, authorities said.

State investigators are evaluating downstream receptors and drinking water intakes and making appropriate notifications to those municipalities.