The EPA and Wetzel County Schools have issued opposing statements Thursday, June 13, arguing over superintendent Porter's decision to unilaterally close the high school.
The EPA’s own findings! I also used Mountain State Spotlight’s reporting! Both the MSS article and EPA report on the superfund site are linked in the story!
I don't think this school closure is about the safety of the children. I think it's a very thinly veiled power play to achieve a result that the Superintendent is unable to accomplish through normal processes. That's the real story that a local journalist should be investigating.
Thanks, but I'm referring specifically to your statement about "dumping in the sewer." That's very specific and implies intent. I don't see that anywhere. You also mention that the "dumping" occurred in the 1990s. Where are you getting this specific information?
Again, the information you are asking for is linked above. That information was gleaned from Mountain State Spotlight. Further information can be found on the EPA's website.
"The specific waste handling practices of Band Box Cleaners is not known; however, general historic waste handling practices of dry cleaners included discharging PCE containing wastewater to sewer systems, which could lead to
Thank you for the link. Mountain State Spotlight is not a source. I would ask them the same question I'm asking you. If the report says that the waste handling practices are not known, why are you reporting that waste was dumped into the sewer?
To quote, "The site consists of soil and groundwater plumes contaminated with the solvent tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and its breakdown products. PCE is commonly used in commercial and industrial operations such as dry cleaning. Contamination at the site is attributed to historical operations at the former Band Box Dry Cleaning Facility."
Just curious, what are your sources for this statement, "a 1990s dry cleaning operation that dumped chemicals into the sewer system."?
The EPA’s own findings! I also used Mountain State Spotlight’s reporting! Both the MSS article and EPA report on the superfund site are linked in the story!
I followed the EPA link in your article. There is no mention of "chemicals dumped in the sewer."
I don't think this school closure is about the safety of the children. I think it's a very thinly veiled power play to achieve a result that the Superintendent is unable to accomplish through normal processes. That's the real story that a local journalist should be investigating.
https://wvrecord.com/stories/661805870-judge-orders-paden-city-high-school-to-remain-open-despite-planned-closure
As I wrote above, the real story here is the unauthorized closure of the school by a Superintendent attempting to circumvent the system.
I hope you will be at the Wetzel County Courthouse for the July 25th hearing.
I’ll be there!
Thanks, but I'm referring specifically to your statement about "dumping in the sewer." That's very specific and implies intent. I don't see that anywhere. You also mention that the "dumping" occurred in the 1990s. Where are you getting this specific information?
Again, the information you are asking for is linked above. That information was gleaned from Mountain State Spotlight. Further information can be found on the EPA's website.
"The specific waste handling practices of Band Box Cleaners is not known; however, general historic waste handling practices of dry cleaners included discharging PCE containing wastewater to sewer systems, which could lead to
leakage to surrounding soil and groundwater, or discharging wastewater directly onto the ground surface." https://semspub.epa.gov/work/HQ/400963.pdf
Thank you for the link. Mountain State Spotlight is not a source. I would ask them the same question I'm asking you. If the report says that the waste handling practices are not known, why are you reporting that waste was dumped into the sewer?
I updated the language on 6/14, the day after publication.
You will find it under the "Background" section of the Superfund Profile on the EPA's website. https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/SiteProfiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=second.Cleanup&id=0304985#bkground
To quote, "The site consists of soil and groundwater plumes contaminated with the solvent tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and its breakdown products. PCE is commonly used in commercial and industrial operations such as dry cleaning. Contamination at the site is attributed to historical operations at the former Band Box Dry Cleaning Facility."
And, as mentioned, I used Mountain State Spotlight's reporting as well. Their story is linked above as well, but I will link it here, too! https://mountainstatespotlight.org/2024/04/17/paden-city-superfund-site/
Other news sites, like News and Sentinel, the Wetzel Chronicle, and WVPB, have reported this information, too!