Updated: 12/23/2008 8:23:29 PM
The big picture is now becoming clearer surrounding the ashslide in Roane County.
The president of TVA spoke of both short and long-term clean-up efforts during a press conference Tuesday afternoon.
Currently, clean-up is focused on the main stretch of roadway that was covered by the ashy sludge. TVA wants to clear Swan Pond Road first so crews and homeowners can have better access.
A local water department is laying piping for a new water line along that road. Right now, the old one has been patched.
During Tuesday's press conference, TVA President Tom Kilgore said that three homes have been declared uninhabitable. The electric authority is working with those homeowners to find them a new place to live.
For residents who have moved back in, Kilgore said that there are no current health concerns. He just suggests staying away from the ash.
"You're not going to have airborne material because it is wet," Kilgore said. "As far as being in their houses--I don't think they have a problem in their houses. I would not pick any of this up or wade in it."
Several agencies are testing the water around the site.
Kilgore said everything looks safe so far.
There have been two smaller failures with the dike in the past.
"In 2003 and 2006, the dike at Kingston experienced smaller, localized seepage that released some ash from one of the dredge cells. After each incident, TVA made changes and repairs to improve the condition of the dike," a TVA release read. "The previous failures were in an area of the dike southwest of the suspected location of the current failure."
The Coast Guard said the part of the Emory River next to the Kingston Steam Plant is closed because of the spill.
