So alarms went off after state environmental officials and the Tennessee Valley Authority revealed this week that high levels of arsenic and lead had been found in groundwater beneath the coal-fired Allen Fossil Plant in southwest Memphis.
The toxins were detected in wells where pollution is monitored from ponds that hold coal ash — the dirty byproduct left from burning coal to generate electricity.
Next year, the TVA plans to pump 3.5 million gallons (13.2 million liters) of water out of the aquifer per day to cool a natural gas power plant that is replacing the aging Allen coal plant.
Nonetheless, the department has asked Memphis Light, Gas & Water — the city’s water utility — to test treated drinking water.
His county is home to more than 900,000 residents and has Memphis as its seat.
"TVA’s plan to pump Memphis Sand Aquifer water from beneath this contaminated site is irresponsible and endangers our drinking water supply."
Collins acknowledged the public alarm, adding, "They are very proud of the drinking water here in Memphis."
Part of the concern is the TVA’s history of handling coal ash ponds.
The utility has been sued by environmental groups that allege that coal ash ponds from its coal-fired power plant in Gallatin, Tennessee, are seeping pollution into the Cumberland River, violating the Clean Water Act.
The TVA since has invested billions of dollars in safer ways to store coal ash.