Holdup In Plan To Clean Franklin Creek

FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- There's another holdup in the cleanup of some longstanding pollution that's flowing into the Harpeth River.

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The state said the case against paint company Egyptian Lacquer has been complicated by the discovery of benzene, a new and more dangerous chemical.

But is it new?

Channel 4's learned that there is proof that the state has been seeing evidence of benzene leaking into the river for years.

"It's not a good thing that there's bad chemicals going through the ground," said local resident Bryan Miles.

While Egyptian Lacquer was testing the area for acetone and tolulene leaks that were coming into Liberty Creek, crews found low levels of benzene in the groundwater.

Benzene is a carcinogen that can cause cancer over long terms of exposure.

But tests show that the benzene has been around for a time. A 2006 study found benzene in the soil on Egyptian Lacquer's property. In early 2007, the chemical showed up again in water samples taken from Liberty Creek and Harpeth River.

Attorneys for Egyptian Lacquer said that benzene showed up in two samples that year and disappeared.

"Still not really any reason to change the strategy, but benzene is something we need to try to find out the source of," said Bill Penny.

Some people said the levels of benzene have been high at times.

"It is very hazardous to humans and to wildlife," said Harpeth River Watershed Association member Pam Davee.

Thursday was the deadline for Egyptian Lacquer's new cleanup plan, but the company asked for another extension until June 23.

Many residents and river watchdogs said the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation needs to take more action.

"There is absolutely no way that this foot dragging is ever going to stop unless something more severe happens to this company," Davee said.

"The state has given us very tight deadlines," Penny said.

Penny added that the company is cleaning up and has removed its chemical tanks and leaky pipes and its trying to catch all the chemicals that are leaking into the creek and river.

But WSMV reported that a leak of one of the chemicals could be seen flowing into the river.

Egyptian Lacquer said it wanted to have the right plan to clean the mess up.

"There is nobody that would want this to be done more promptly than Egyptian Lacquer," Penny said.

TDEC has not decided whether or not to accept the company's extension request. A TDEC representative said there needs to be more testing and information. The representative said the company is removing tanks and pipes and is also monitoring the air in the area.

Area residents said they have lived with the smell in the area for a year and a half, and they just want the situation over and done with.

Officials have determined that there is no risk to the city's drinking water.