Ohio train wreck: State confident water is safe to drink

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — Test results returned to the Ohio EPA on Wednesday show city water in East Palestine is safe to drink nearly two weeks after a train carrying hazardous substances derailed near the village, according to Gov. Mike DeWine.

Water testing results show no evidence of contamination in raw water from five wells that feed into the East Palestine municipal water system, DeWine said. The combined treated water results also showed no contamination associated with the derailment.

According to the governor, the Ohio EPA is confident that the city’s water is safe to drink.

The five wells that supply water to the East Polentine Water System, which provides drinking water to most residents, are located approximately one mile from the derailment.

Those with private wells may be closer to the surface than municipal wells. Ohio EPA recommends that those who obtain drinking water from private wells make an appointment to have their well water tested by an independent consultant.

Anyone interested in scheduling an analysis of their private well can call 330-849-3919. The Ohio Department of Health advises those with private wells to use bottled water until test results come back.

No one was injured when 50 wagons derailed in a fiery mess near the village on February 3. After the accident, officials decided to release and burn toxic vinyl chloride from five rail cars, sending flames and black smoke into the sky.

Pollutants from the derailed cars spilled into some waterways and were toxic to fish, but officials said in recent days that drinking water in the area remains protected.

East Palestine’s wells are at least 56 feet below the surface and are covered by a solid steel casing that protects the water from contamination, DeWine said. Before drinking water becomes available to the public, the water from the five wells is combined at a water treatment plant and purified.