Coal ash disposal to cost $2 million, delay completion of seven dorms

ATHENS - The disposal of coal ash found at the construction site of the University of Georgia&#39;s East Campus Village will cost between $1.9 and $2.7 million. <br> <br> The discovery of thousands of tons of coal ash will also delay construction of seven dormitories by at least a year, although construction on an 850-space parking deck at the new village began Tuesday. <br> <br> The UGA Real Estate Foundation had planned to finish the dorms for 1,200 students by summer 2003. <br> <br> The state Environmental Protection Division discovered the university dumping the coal ash in an unlined landfill in Oglethorpe County. <br> <br> Coal ash is not a hazardous waste but the state requires dumping it in a lined landfill because it can contain heavy metals and other contaminants. The EPD is monitoring removal to a lined county dump in Athens. <br> <br> The foundation plans to asks the state to pick up at least part of the bill to remove the ash.