US Nitrogen Boosts River Water Use

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

Use of free water from the Nolichucky River by a Greene County chemical company jumped to more than 24 million gallons in the month of April, according to a report filed with Tennessee environmental officials.
The monthly report from US Nitrogen LLC shows the company pumped more than 1.2 million gallons from the Nolichucky River on nine days during the month, including three straight days beginning on Aug. 19.
The total was one of the highest in recent months. Other high totals include 21.7 million gallons pumped from the river in October of 2019 and 23 million gallons in July of 2019. The highest monthly total, 38.7 million gallons, came in December of 2017.
On three days in August beginning on Aug.7 the coompany pumped no water from the river.
The monthly report shows the ammonium nitrate manufacturer discharged 13 million gallons of wastewater back in to the river, with more than 500,000 discharged on Aug. 18 and Aug. 31.
US Nitrogen gained permits to pump water to and from the river from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. The current discharge permit expires Oct. 31 and the company recently filed a renewal application.
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