Updated: 1/2/2009 3:37:08 PM
The EPA has released more specific data from water and sediment testing near the TVA Kingston Fossil Plant.
The tests were conducted shortly after the spill last month.
The water tests show higher-than-acceptable levels of certain metals, including arsenic, especially in the Emory River near where the fly ash retention pond failed on December 22nd.
The data released Friday showed total arsenic levels in one water sample was 149 times the maximum level.
Laura Niles, an EPA spokeswoman, said the municipal drinking water was still safe because these metals are filtered out during the water treatment process.
Samples taken near the Kingston water treatment plant -- which is upstream from the spill site -- were found to be within the federal limits, except for thallium, which was found at levels three times the maximum limit, according to the EPA data.
Click on the links to the right to see the results, as well as exactly where the tests were conducted.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
