Transforming industry data

into transparent, useful information.

Ashtracker provides public access to industry-reported data from state and company records about groundwater contamination at coal ash dumps. Coal ash, a toxic waste generated by coal-fired power plants, is one of the largest industrial waste streams in the United States. Each year, coal plants generate over 100 million tons of ash, most of which is dumped into landfills and ponds that are often unlined. Pollutants in the ash frequently leak into groundwater and nearby waterways, and some of these contaminants (such as arsenic and mercury) can cause cancer, neurological damage, and other health problems.

Although groundwater contamination from coal ash is widespread, groundwater quality data can be hard to find. Ashtracker makes it easy to find this information by summarizing and visualizing actual groundwater monitoring results at each site and providing access to analysis-ready data downloads. Use the map and list of recently updated sites below to start exploring groundwater quality at coal ash dumps. Our groundwater quality database dates back to 2010, and it will continue to expand as we process new information for each site. You can also subscribe for data updates to stay on top of new developments.

Ashtracker currently tracks groundwater at 27,369 monitoring wells distributed among 301 sites across the country. 18 percent of wells have been contaminated above safe levels.