Officials: Train derailment in East Palestine has no impact on area water safety
The train derailment and ensuing release of hazardous materials in East Palestine is not affecting the water quality in this area, two officials told the News Journal.
The East Palestine train derailment occurred on the evening of Feb. 3 and involved a Norfolk Southern freight train carrying hazardous materials.
After the freight train burned for more than two hours, emergency crews conducted a controlled burn of several railcars at the request of state officials, releasing hydrogen chloride and phosgene into the air.
Residents within a one-mile radius were evacuated, and an emergency response from agencies in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia was initiated. The federal government sent an Environmental Protection Agency administrator to provide assistance on Feb. 16.
"We're getting all of our updated information from the Ohio EPA," said Joe Harrod, director of environmental health for Richland Public Health.
According to the EPA website, there is no risk to East Palestine public water customers, let alone those who do not live in the area. The data does not apply to private wells.
Runoff in East Palestine did not affect rivers in this watershed district
"All of the runoff from East Palestine went into a small tributary of the Ohio River called Little Beaver Creek," said Craig Butler, executive director of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, which encompasses almost all of Richland and Ashland counties.
Butler said the runoff did not have an impact on the tributaries in this district, including the Tuscarawas and Muskingum rivers.
"It's also good to note that the state is treating contaminants in the Ohio River," Butler said. "While there are some, it's been diluted to the point where it's not a threat to drinking water in the Ohio River."
The Ohio River is a source of drinking water for many communities. Water samples are continuing to be collected from 30 locations, stretching from East Liverpool to Cincinnati. East Palestine is in the northeastern part of the state, close to the Pennsylvania border.
Train that derailed had issues before crash
The train departed on Feb. 1 and had sustained at least one mechanical failure before the derailment. Of the 51 railcars that derailed on the east side of town, 11 contained hazardous materials.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources said the chemical spill killed an estimated 3,500 small fish across 7.5 miles of streams as of Feb. 8.
East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway declared a state of emergency.
mcaudill@gannett.com
419-521-7219
Twitter: @MNJCaudill
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Richland County, surrounding area not impacted by trail derailment
