#7 Coal Ash Impoundment Pond

Description: Pictured above is a coal ash impoundment pond.  Coal ash, a result from the combustion of coal in power-plants, is typically impounded in such ponds because the ash can be mixed with water into a slurry and pumped from the power-plant to the pond for extremely convenient handling.  When deposited in the pond the ash will settle to the bottom and the water will be removed from the top and treated.  Coal ash, classified as fly ash, bottom ash or boiler slag, depending on what part of the process the ash comes from is frequently disposed of in impoundment ponds.  Exact disposal methods, however, are ultimately dependent on the state environmental code.