US Nitrogen Drew Record 38 Million from River

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

US Nitrogen drew a record 38.78 million gallons of water from the Nolichucky River during the month of December, according to a report filed this week with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
The report shows that on each of 11 days during that month the company withdrew nearly one million from the river through its 12 mile pipeline.
According to the report the company discharged 5.8 million back into the river.
The water is withdrawn and discharged through 12 mile long pipelines between the 23 mile marker on the river and the Midway manufacturing facility.
The discharge and withdrawal reports are required under the company permits from TDEC.
The December figures and prior reports filed over a 22 month period show the company has pumped nearly 200 million gallons from the river since it began startup activities.
The December figure was by far the highest on record. The previous high, 19.5 million gallons, was pumped from the river in September of this year.
The December and prior US Nitrogen reports show that a total of more than 85 million gallons has been discharged by US Nitrogen back into the river since March 2016, the first month the company filed a report.
Use of water from the river has been one of the most controversial aspects of the US Nitrogen project. Environmentalists have charged the high usage could cause damage to the river.
US Nitrogen, a subsidiary of Ohio explosives manufacturer Austin Powder, uses the Nolichucky water in the production of ammonium nitrate, which is then shipped to Austin in the production of explosives.
Opponents also have challenged the legality of a permit issued by the state authorizing the construction of the dual pipelines. The legal challenge is pending in Davidson Chancery Court.
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