Train derails in Ohio prompting water department to take precautions

HUNTINGTON, Virginia (AP) — West Virginia’s water utilities are ramping up their water treatment processes as a precautionary measure following the derailment of a train carrying chemicals that later gave up a toxic plume in Ohio.

West Virginia American Water said Sunday it plans to install a secondary intake on the Guyandot River in case it needs to switch to another water source. pointed out that there was no change in

“The health and safety of our customers is our top priority and we currently have no drinking water recommendations for customers,” the company said in a statement.

About 50 vehicles, including 10 with dangerous goods, derailed in a violent crash on February 3 in East Palestine, Ohio. Vinyl chloride was released into the air from five of these cars, creating a plume of black smoke before crews ignited them to remove highly flammable and toxic chemicals in a controlled environment. Did.

Residents near Ohio and Pennsylvania were evacuated due to health risks from the smoke, but have since been allowed to return.