WAVY-TV
Underneath the earth in Pittsylvania County, Va. sits a uranium:
However, there’s one problem. It boils down to the water Hampton Roads residents drink.
If mining in Pittsylvania County takes place, some worry a radioactive by-product could flow downstream and into local homes.
In the next few months, Virginia’s General Assembly could overturn a 30-year ban on uranium mining. The move could bring a huge boom to the Commonwealth’s economy.
On his Twitter account, Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms posted a simple: “No to uranium mining” on Oct. 15. He cited to 10 On Your Side a frightening “what-if” scenario.
“This is radioactivity in your water,” Sessoms said. “And I don't think we want our citizens drinking water that has radioactivity in it."
For Sessoms, it’s all about the water that flows into Lake Gaston and in turn is pumped about 85 miles into hundreds thousands of homes.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE LAKE GASTON WATER SUPPLY PIPELINE
"This is the water supply for Virginia Beach and a large part of Hampton Roads,” Sessoms said. ”I would suggest we never, and I repeat never, want to jeopardize our water supply."
The Mayor’s worried about the by-product of uranium mining, called tailings. They’re the sand-like substance left over after the uranium is milled. They’re also radioactive.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TAILINGS
If stored improperly an act of nature, like a storm or earthquake, could potentially send them back into the environment.
"If these tailings got into our water, it could be a devastating event for our region,” Sessoms said.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/49796091/ns/local_news-portsmouth_
