Kentucky officials, agencies monitor water quality after Ohio derailment. What to know
Kentucky environmental officials say “current water treatment” used by public water systems is expected to be effective at combating chemical pollution in the Ohio River following a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, earlier this month.
The treatment is expected to effectively remove butyl acrylate, one of two primary chemicals released in the Feb. 3 derailment, but the testing is ongoing, according to the Monday release from the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet.
A Norfolk Southern train derailed Feb. 3 along the border of Ohio and Pennsylvania, and several tanker cars ruptured and burned. The cars primarily released vinyl choride and butyl acrylate, chemicals that are used in the production of plastics and resins.
Low levels of butyl acrylate were detected in the Ohio River, traveling from Little Beaver Creek.
The river is a drinking source for more than 5 million people, according to the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission, which is conducting the ongoing testing.
West Virginia American Water Co. released an alert Sunday, letting residents know water along the river was currently being monitored and the treatment process was being enhanced as a “precautionary measure.”
What to know about drinking, tap water in Kentucky
In a statement Monday, Louisville Water said it does not believe the spill poses a risk to drinking water there.
“Over the past few days, our scientists have looked at the size and location of the spill and calculated the travel time of the spill plume to Louisville. This is an advantage of the Ohio River, its size helps with diluting a spill, making it easier to treat, the utility said in its statement. “We’re also looking at how we treat the spill if the plume reaches Louisville. We know that trace amounts of this chemical can impart minor odors to the water, but through conventional treatment and the use of powdered activated carbon, we can minimize any taste and odor concerns.”
The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet said testing detected the values in the river were “well below” what’s contained in the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
The cabinet is working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Ohio EPA and ORSANCO, according to the cabinet’s statement.
A Kentucky American Water spokesperson told the Herald-Leader in an email the water company does not use the river as a source, so its operations are not affected. While the company does get water from the Kentucky River, which flows into the Ohio River, Ohio River water does not flow into the Kentucky River.
In a Tuesday statement released by the company, officials told customers the derailment did not affect drinking water.
“For water professionals like us who are not impacted by this situation, this is an opportunity to study the situation as well as build and improve further on our expertise and resiliency,” Kentucky American Water water quality and environment compliance manager Bob Money said in the statement.
It is standard practice to monitor situations like this, which the company has been doing, the statement said.
The company’s water quality reports can be found online.
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