US Nitrogen Files River Report

A Greene County chemical firm pumped more than 20 million gallons of free water from the Nolichucky River during the month of July, according to a report filed recently with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
US Nitrogen LLC pumped more than one million on 10 days in the month with the highest amount, a little over 1.1 million gallons, coming on July 25. The monthly report, which is required under the company's state permit, also shows the company discharged 12.13 million gallons of wastewater bck in to the river.
US Nitrogen uses the river water in cooling towers as part of the process to manufacture liquid ammonium nitrate.
The amount of water withdrawn in July was slightly more than the company repoorted for Aptil when 20.18 million gallons were pumped from the river. The company pays nothing for the water which is authorized under permits from two Tennessee agencies.
In a related development this week U.S. Nitrogen's parent company, Austin Powder, disclosed plans to build a major facility in Khazakastan. The plant would serve Austin Powder's customers in the region.