By AP/KWMU
St. Louis, MO – AmerenUE crews on Wednesday began a three-day process they say should have water in the Black River back to normal as early as this weekend.
The Black River took on a gunky brown look when the reservoir at Ameren's Taum Sauk plant in southeast Missouri broke in December.
The cleanup involves the use of flocculates - alums and a buffering agent that help suspended particles to settle out of the water. The process will remove clay from the river.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources approved the project earlier this month after determining the materials and the approach posed no threat to humans, wildlife or aquatic life.
The cause of the December 14th reservoir failure remains under investigation.
AmerenUE is using a specially designed 24-foot boat fitted with surface spray bars to apply substances to the water affected by the Taum Sauk reservoir break.