Train derailment prompts water utility to take precautions

An ABC News article reports on a train derailment that has prompted water utility precautions in the United States. The incident occurred when a train carrying a hazardous chemical derailed, posing a potential threat to the local water supply.

In response to the incident, water utilities in the area have taken precautionary measures to protect the safety of the water supply, including shutting down water intake valves and increasing monitoring of the water quality.

The extent of any potential contamination is not yet known, and authorities are working to assess the situation and take appropriate actions to ensure the safety of the local water supply.

The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of monitoring and protecting the safety of our critical infrastructure, including the water supply.

A West Virginia water utility is enhancing its water treatment process as a precaution following the derailment of a train hauling chemicals that later sent up a toxic plume in Ohio.

West Virginia American Water said Sunday that it’s also going to install a secondary intake on the Guyandotte River in case there’s a need to switch to an alternate water source. The utility noted that there hasn’t been any change in raw water at its Ohio River intake.

“The health and safety of our customers is a priority, and there are currently no drinking water advisories in place for customers,” the company said in a statement.

About 50 cars, including 10 carrying hazardous materials, derailed in a fiery crash Feb. 3 in East Palestine, Ohio. Vinyl chloride was later released into the air from five of those cars before crews ignited it to get rid of the highly flammable, toxic chemicals in a controlled environment, creating a dark plume of smoke.

Residents from nearby neighborhoods in Ohio and Pennsylvania were evacuated because of health risks from the fumes, but have since been allowed to return.