cnn reported that the river was turned into an oily sludge. the river is a drinking water source for communities in north carolina and virginia. immediate tests showed increased amounts of arsenic and selenium, but the river was deemed by state officials to be a safe source for drinking water. however, further tests showed the ash to contain but not limited to arsenic, copper, selenium, iron, turbidity, zinc and lead. the coal ash immediately endangered animals and fish species that lived in or around the river. six days after the spill duke energy announced that the leakage had been stopped and they pledged to clean up the coal ash.