Neutralization of Acidified Streams in West Virginia

The West Virginia Department of Natural Resources has 25 years of experience in neutralization of acidified streams. Early efforts were on lightly buffered waters that gained most of their acid content from watershed geologic conditions. Research led to a method of treating acid stream flow with limestone aggregate contained in water powered rotating drums (Limestone Drum System). Increased acidification of West Virginia streams by acid precipitation has rekindled research efforts on a problem of larger proportions than that experienced in the late 1950s and 1960s. This paper reviews work on treatment of acidity in natural streams—particularly that dealing with use of the Limestone Drum System. It reports on recent development of a second generation drum that is self-feeding from streamside stored aggregate. The new system's efficiency may permit its application to large streams affected by acid precipitation.