|
Oklahoma fish test high in mercury
By Bill Hankins
Published February 11, 2009
A recent study by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality found “alarmingly high” levels of mercury in fish from southeastern Oklahoma lakes, and that could affect negotiations for the potential sale of water from Oklahoma to municipalities in Texas.
Though the battle challenging Oklahoma laws that prevent such a sale goes on, some municipalities in Texas already have negotiated contracts to buy Oklahoma water and are awaiting court and legislative decisions that could make that possible.
In August 2008, the City of Irving signed a contract with the City of Hugo to supply water, but that contract is meeting with challenges from the State of Oklahoma.
Irving officials are taking a wait-and-see position on the finding of mercury in the lakes from which they would get water.
With the finding of high levels of mercury in fish, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality now could get involved in the move to bring the mercury loaded water into Texas.
“Transfer of water from Oklahoma or any other state may not need a permit from us if the water is going directly to a treatment station,” said Lisa Wheeler of the TCEQ. “Before water from one body of water to another is brought into Texas, a Bed and Banks permit from TCEQ must be issued. I can’t comment on the mercury level in Oklahoma water now, but if there is a request for that permit, then we would check the water quality to determine if it is safe to bring it in before issuing the permit.”
Jennifer Walker, water expert for the Sierra Club, said the finding of high mercury content in fish might not mean the water has a high mercury content.
“Mercury settles in the sediment and in the fish, but is not necessarily in high levels in the water,” she said.
The study released by the Oklahoma Department of environmental Quality showed 16 of the 35 lakes sampled had high mercury concentrations of more than 0.5 mg. in the fish.
Among the lakes exceding that level were Hugo Lake, Broken Bow Lake and Pine Creek Lake, all being considered by water districts in Texas as sources of water.
ODEQ officials would not speculate where the mercury came from, but suggested it could have come from coal-fired power plants, incinerators, mining and melting operations.
Coal-fired power plants and precipitation in Southeast Oklahoma could result in bringing the mercury into the area’s lakes.
Mercury can have serious health effects, especially in young children and developing fetuses, producing brain, spinal cord and kidney problems and damaging lungs and liver.
ODEQ officials said the organization will retest the 16 lakes with high mercury content in fish and produce a final report in May.
Share |
Save |
Mail |
Print |
Letter
|
|
 |
|
|
