Hartsfield ordered to change the way it de-ices planes
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Posted 6:06PM on Tuesday, February 5, 2002
ATLANTA - The state Environmental Protection Division has ordered Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport to change the way it de-ices planes. <br>
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During last month's winter storm, a chemical used to de-ice planes spilled into the Flint River, which runs underneath the airport and supplies drinking water to middle and south Georgia. <br>
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Residents have complained their water had a sweet taste similar to anti-freeze. The EPD found traces of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol -- substances found in de-icing solution. <br>
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When a plane is sprayed down, the chemical flows into pipes that take it to a waste treatment facility. When the system is full, the glycol flows straight to the Flint River. <br>
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The division has issued a consent order to Hartsfield to fix the de-icing system and eventually rebuild it. The airport received the order Tuesday and has five days to respond. <br>
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The agency is not pressing charges or issuing a fine, but officials say they want the airport to fix the three-year-old multi-million dollar system and eventually rebuild it.
