Marines


Press Releases


Investigation and Cleanup Efforts Continue Following Last Week's Discovery of Mercury in Hadnot Point Water Treatment Plant
25 Sep 2012
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune contracted Shamrock Environmental Corporation out of New Bern, NC. Friday to oversee the clean up and investigation of Hadnot Point Water Treatment Plant following the discovery of 8 lbs of elemental mercury in a pipe within the facility during routine maintenance Sept. 15. With the plant still offline, both treated-water reservoirs were drained to allow environmental experts better access to see if any residual mercury could be located. Pipe coupling removal and decontamination activities conducted by Shamrock recovered four additional pounds of mercury from the same area, totaling approximately 12 pounds of elemental mercury. Given the high density of elemental mercury, this equates to approximately a pint and a half. Beginning today, cameras will be used in non-accessible areas within the piping and reservoir to determine if mercury has settled elsewhere in the plant. Officials do not expect the plant to be brought back online for at least two more weeks.

Mr. Nat Fahy, Director of Public Affairs

Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune

Commanding General Attn: Public Affairs PSC Box 20005 Camp Lejeune, NC 28542-0005