Kennecott Agrees To Continue Water Clean Up

None by Eric Ray

(KCPW News) Kennecott Utah Copper has agreed to continue the clean up of a 20-square mile section of groundwater in the southwest part of the Salt Lake Valley. The agreement, reached with the state and the Environmental Protection Agency, means a legal document now exists to enforce the work Kennecott has already been doing voluntarily for 15 years.

Kennecott faces significant fines if they fail to abide to the terms of the agreement. The fines range from $40,000 a month for failure to meet a set extraction rate of contaminants, and up to $50,000 per month for failing to contain the sources of contaminants.

The aquifer isn't currently a source of drinking water. However, Assistant Attorney General Denise Chancellor says due to an earlier settlement with Kennecott, a water treatment plant, and another under construction, could change that. Chancellor says the plants bring the water to drinking standards. It's delivered to the Water Conservancy District, which serves a number of west side communities.

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