EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has announced that tests have revealed the municipal water in the village of East Palestine is safe to drink following the train derailment and controlled release of chemicals earlier this month.
The announcement from DeWine came hours before East Palestine residents will have an opportunity to address their concerns in a town hall meeting.
In a release, DeWine says the results of new water testing by the Ohio EPA show no detection of contaminants in raw water from the five wells that feed into East Palestine's municipal water system. In addition, test results from the combined, treated water from all the wells showed no sign of contaminants associated with the derailment.
"With these tests results, Ohio EPA is confident that municipal water is safe to drink," DeWine's office noted.
However, those East Palestine residents who receive their drinking water from private wells are advised to schedule an appointment for well testing by an independent consultant. Until well water tests are returned, the Ohio Department of Health encourages those with private wells to use bottled water.
So why is the municipal water system safe to use, but the private wells are not? According to DeWine's office, the municipal wells are at least 56 feet below the surface and are covered by a solid steel casing that protects the water from contamination. Before drinking water is made available to the public, water from these five wells is combined at the water treatment plant and treated. Private water wells may be closer to the surface than the municipal wells.
Residents with private water wells can call 330-849-3919 for information on how to schedule a test. Click here for more resources from the state of Ohio.
Is there a threat to the water supply in Cleveland? In a tweet, officials from Cleveland Water said no.
A similar message was delivered on Tuesday by Summit County Executive Illene Shapiro. “There is no indication that our water or air have been impacted by the events in East Palestine. We continue to stay in contact with Summit County Public Health, who do an exceptional job of keeping us all safe and healthy.”
During DeWine's East Palestine briefing on Wednesday, officials said the risk to public drinking water "remains very low." ODH Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff did suggest those in East Palestine and along the east part of the Ohio River drink bottled water in the short term. DeWine concurred, but did say he would feel comfortable going back home if he lived in East Palestine.
"I would be drinking the bottled water and I would be continuing to find out what the tests were showing as far as the air," the governor said when asked about the hypothetical. "I would be alert and concerned, but I think I would probably be back in my house."