Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 16, 1990                   TAG: 9005160301
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: MADELYN ROSENBERG NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

FISH POLLUTION TESTS AWAITED

"We're still trying to figure out when we're going to get them back," said Kip Foster, technical services supervisor. "We're trying to get the gears going."

The Water Control Board decided to test the fish after heavy metals were found in the sediments of the creek and lake. The metals, which include iron, zinc, copper, lead and selenium, have been blamed for turning the water rusty red after heavy rains.

Fish were collected from the lake April 23 and delivered to the State Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services in Richmond. The Water Control Board had hoped to have the results after two weeks.

"They're still being processed," said Albert Tiebemann, director of the labs. "We hope to finish up by the end of the week."

Results from the tests will be sent to the Water Control Board and the New River Valley Health District so officials can determine if there are any risks to human health.

The results have been delayed partly because of the time it takes to perform the intricate tests, and partly because of a heavy work load at the lab, Tiebemann said.

"We do testing for about every state agency that requires work," he said. "The Air Pollution Control Board, the Department of Waste Management, the Poison Control Center . . . you can just about name it."

Tiebemann said the lab works on a first-in, first-out basis unless an agency labels its testing needs as high priority. "The fish tests didn't come in under a crisis situation," he said. "We have no control over our workload."

The division has two regional microbiology labs and three regional forensic science labs. Tiebemann said the division is expecting to get another lab in Roanoke that will accommodate some of the chemistry and microbiology work for the region. The lab would be part of a facility for the medical examiner, he said.

Funding for the project will come from the state lottery, he said. But that could take some time.

Tiebemann said the new lab will be able to handle environmental work.

"A high percentage of our Water Control Board and drinking water work comes from Southwest Virginia," Tiebemann said. "That's why we need a better facility out there, closer to the source."

The metals in Peak Creek were first spotted by the Water Control Board in the mid-1970s, and the pollution has continued on and off since that time.

Creek and lake users became aware of the problem in recent months when the water took on a reddish tint.

Many of them are waiting impatiently for testing results.

Margaret Robinson, head of the district, said it may be a few days before her department receives the results from the board. It may take a few more days to do a complete analysis of the results, she said.