CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Do you own property that gets water from a well? If so, and if you live in a certain area west of Charlotte, researchers with Duke University would like to access it as part of a study on how nearby lithium mining may impact well water quality.
The team from the university's Nicholas School of the Environment is specifically looking to analyze the water quality in the Carolina Tin-Spodumene Belt, where lithium mining has happened before and where future mining operations are set to begin. The goal of the study, which is part of a larger project funded by North Carolina State University's NC Water Resources Research Institute, is to understand the current state of the water and also see if previous mining work has impacted water quality.
The specific area researchers are looking at spans across Cleveland, Gaston, and Lincoln counties. The furthest south area is near the town of Grover, while the furthest north point is in part of Lincolnton.
Property owners who agree to the study will be asked to provide researchers with access to the well water, which can be done with or without supervision. The team will then collect a sample from either a wellhead or a spigot. The process may take up to 45 minutes because the well needs to be "purged" before a sample is taken. That means the water in the pipe will need to be emptied.
Here's the map that shows the area researchers are interested in:
Those who agree will also be asked if they wish to further participate and get the results of the test. Those who do will be asked to provide contact information. Results should be ready within 4-6 weeks.
Confidentiality is promised for details like email and residential addresses. Homeowner information will not be released under any circumstances.
If you wish to partake in the survey, click here.
Interest in lithium mining in the region has been reignited amidst a push by automakers to produce more electric vehicles. Albemarle Corporation has said it wants to revive a site in Kings Mountain as recently as December 2023. However, the idea of lithium mining starting back up has also sparked an outcry from residents and municipal leaders in the counties where it could happen.
"It just makes me feel like it could cause harmful stuff, you know, cancer stuff to your body," Kings Mountain resident Missy Edwards told WCNC Charlotte. Other Kings Mountain residents noted opening a mine could be good for jobs and business.
One such project proposed by Piedmont Lithium in Gaston County has been met with skepticism from both neighbors and commissioners.
Minerals retrieved from lithium mining are used chiefly to produce rechargeable batteries. In addition to the batteries that power electric cars, lithium is also used for devices like mobile phones, laptop computers, and even non-rechargeable batteries for things like pacemakers and clocks.
The Duke research team will share their findings with homeowners near the mines and is partnering with the Catawba Riverkeeper to get information out to the broader community once the study concludes.