Mercury In 3 Virginia Rivers Traced To Textile Plant

WAYNESBORO, Va. (AP) -- A federal study says soil contaminated more than 50 years ago by a textile plant is the source of 96 percent of the mercury in the South River.

The report by the U.S. Geological Survey says the plant in Waynesboro discharged mercury waste from 1929 to 1950. Mercury washed into the South River and contaminated the Shenandoah and the South Fork Shenandoah rivers, as well. Floodplains along all three rivers also were contaminated.

Hydrologist Jack Eggleston, the report's author, says the findings explain why fish continue to have elevated mercury levels.

The USGS says the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality will use the findings to develop cleanup plans.

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