US Nitrogen Ups River Use

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

US Nitrogen upped its use of water from the Nolichucky River in October and also discharged more than one million gallons of waste water back into the river on two successive days, according to a monthy report filed with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
The Greene County firm reported it drew 21.7 million gallons from the Nolichucky River during the month of October. It drew at least some water from the waterway every day of the month, but on the last three days only a minimal amount was withdrawn
According to the report the company discharged a total of 10.9 million gallons into the Nolichucky during the same period. On Oct. 26 and Oct. 27 the company reported for the first time discharging a little over one million gallons back into the river on both days.
The October totals show a substantial increase over the September totals. The company drew 15.2 million gallons from the Nolichucky that month. Discharges to the river in that month totaled 6.8 million.
The company obtained a permit from the state allowing it to utilize the river water without charge for use in the production of ammonium nitrate. It was recently renewed. A separate permit authorizes discharges to the Nolichucky.
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