Huntington Times

The following is the latest information from West Virginia American Water regarding precautionary measures in response to the train derailment in Ohio: 

West Virginia American Water Officially Alternates Drinking Water Source in Response to Ohio Train Derailment

Temporary intake on Guyandotte River now fully operational; No drinking water advisories in effect

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (Feb. 15, 2023) – West Virginia American Water announced today that the alternate intake on the Guyandotte River is now fully operational and currently supplying all the water to its Huntington Water Treatment Plant. This precautionary measure follows a chemical release impacting the Ohio River due to a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. The company implemented its business continuity plan last Friday to temporarily switch its drinking water source, which required the installation of large pumping equipment and more than 3,700 feet of aboveground water lines.

“With the help of ORSANCO, the U.S. EPA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the City of Huntington, Greater Huntington Parks & Recreation District, Cabell County Emergency Management, Cabell County Sheriff’s Department, the United States Coast Guard, CJ Hughes and many other partners, the extraordinary task of alternating our drinking water supply was completed in just over three days,” said Robert Burton, president of West Virginia American Water. “I am so proud of the collaboration across organizations and the men and women who worked tirelessly to execute our contingency plan. Our Huntington area customers can rest assured that we continue to supply them with safe drinking water, and we completed this effort with their health and safety at the forefront of our decision-making.”

The company made the decision to utilize the temporary intake today by evaluating the entire situation including the status of the temporary intake, the status of the distribution system, and following river flow modeling and data that indicated chemicals from the train derailment were detected within 80 miles of the company’s Ohio River water intake. West Virginia American Water consulted with the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health, which confirmed that no drinking water advisories need to be issued. Water quality testing of the Guyandotte River confirmed that samples meet all state and federal guidelines for drinking water sources.

West Virginia American Water continues to monitor water quality parameters on both rivers and has treatment options and further contingency plans it can implement as needed. Should the need arise to issue a drinking water advisory, customers will be immediately notified.

Original source can be found here