Since the operation began on May 6, about 2500 short tons of coal ash and river sediment have been removed from the location just upstream of the Schoolfield Dam in Danville, Virginia.

Crews and equipment were staged at Abreu-Grogan Park in Danville for the past three months.

The company expects equipment demobilisation and restoration activities in the park to continue for the next two weeks with plans to return the park to the public in late July.

The clean-up effort was sparked by a break in a stormwater pipe beneath an ash basin at the retired Dan River Steam Station in Eden, North Carolina, on February 2.

This caused a release of ash basin water and ash into the Dan River.

Duke permanently plugged the 36 inch and 48 inch storm water pipes.

The company estimates about 30,000-39,000t of ash was released into the river.

Duke previously removed ash and sediment from water treatment facilities in Danville and South Boston, as well as from locations in the river at the Dan River Steam Station and Town Creek, 3.2km downstream from the plant. More than 500t of coal ash and river sediment were removed from those areas.

All ash removal operations have been under the EPA’s direction and conducted in conjunction with state and federal agencies.

Based on the EPA’s criteria, there are no additional deposits to be removed from the river.

Duke, the EPA and other agencies will continue monitoring and will remove additional coal ash and sediment deposits as deemed necessary.