After a train carrying chemicals derailed in West Virginia, a local water company decided to take preventative measures by improving its water treatment process.
Local time in HUNTINGTON, West Virginia. Due to the derailment of a train carrying chemicals that caused a poisonous plume to rise over Ohio, a water company in West Virginia is taking preventative measures by improving its water treatment process.
On Sunday, West Virginia American Water said that it would also be installing a secondary intake on the Guyandotte River. The power company reported that the raw water quality at its Ohio River intake has not changed.
It is the company’s policy to put the health and safety of their customers first, and as of right now, there are no drinking water warnings in effect.
On February 3rd at East Palestine, Ohio, fifty cars derailed in a violent collision, ten of which were carrying hazardous cargo. In order to safely dispose of the highly combustible and poisonous chemicals, personnel later set fire to five of the vehicles, releasing a thick cloud of vinyl chloride into the air.
There were health concerns, so authorities evacuated some surrounding neighborhoods in Ohio and Pennsylvania; those people have since been permitted to return.
Residents in both states have filed a federal lawsuit to compel Norfolk Southern to institute health monitoring.
Two Pennsylvanians filed a complaint against the rail company on Thursday, asking that everyone within a thirty mile (48 kilometer) radius of the derailment be screened for exposure to harmful substances and given any necessary treatment. In addition, the claim seeks monetary damages.
