US Nitrogen Draws Nearly 15 Million Gallons

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

US Nitrogen drew just shy of 15 million gallons of water from the Nolichucky River in November, according to a monthly report filed with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
The report shows a total of 14.9 million gallons were withdrawn from the river while 8.2 million were discharged into the Nolichucky in Greene County.
That compares with 14.6 million gallons withdrawn by the Midway chemical firm from the river in October. The company discharged .9 million gallons to the river during the same month.
The report from Kimberly Ryans, a US Nitrogen environmental official, shows just under 1 million gallons were withdrawn from the river on Nov. 18, Nov. 19 and Nov. 2.
There were no discharges to the river on Nov. 1-3, the report states.
The company uses the river water in the production of ammonium nitrate which is then shipped to US Nitrogen's parent, Austin Powder, an Ohio explosives manufacturer.
The use of the river water has drawn opposition from some local citizens who contend the withdrawals threaten the river's existence. The water is withdrawn and discharged to the river through 12 miles of pipeline under a permit from the Tennessee Department of Transportation. The permit is under a legal challenge in a suit pending in Davidson Chancery Court.
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