A $14.5 million grant will soon allow UNC to expand a rural Orange County research facility that has drawn criticism for leaks of treated wastewater and chemicals.
Neighbors say they are worried about the environmental and community impact of the expansion to the Bingham Facility, where UNC conducts animal research.
The National Institutes of Health grant, received by UNC as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will cover construction costs for two buildings, one to house dogs used for hemophilia research and the other to house pigs used to research cardiovascular disease.
The Story So Far
Nov. 18, 2009: A leak of treated wastewater is detected at UNC’s Bingham Facility. A liner breach in a storage pond results in 630 gallons being spilled.
Dec. 14, 2009: UNC assures neighbors of the facility and other Orange County residents that none of the treated wastewater reached Collins Creek.
Dec. 18, 2009: The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources issues UNC a notice of violation for the leak after state inspectors visited the site and found that wastewater did make it to Collins Creek, which eventually connects with Jordan Lake.
Feb. 19, 2010: UNC reports a break in a distribution line the previous day that resulted in roughly 1,800 gallons of treated wastewater being spilled.
Feb. 23, 2010: University administrators hold another town hall meeting to answer questions from concerned neighbors and residents. Bob Lowman, the associate vice chancellor for research who Chancellor Holden Thorp asked to oversee work at the Bingham Facility, meets with residents at the meeting.
