Residents of East Palestine, Ohio Receive All-Clear to Drink Municipal Water After Train Derailment

Residents of East Palestine, Ohio, have been given the all-clear to drink their municipal water after a train derailment earlier this month. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (R) announced Wednesday afternoon that tests from five wells supplying the town’s drinking water showed no evidence of contamination.

The tests were funded by Norfolk Southern, the railroad operator responsible for the derailment. The derailment occurred on February 3rd and involved a freight train carrying hazardous materials. Norfolk Southern released and burned vinyl chloride, a flammable gas, in an effort to alleviate the risk of an explosion.

Rick Feezle, 63, has worked in the area around East Palestine all of his adult life and operates two businesses there. He is part of a group of people who have filed a class action suit against Norfolk Southern. Since returning to work following the derailment, Feezle has experienced a raspy voice and chest pain.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has declared the municipal water safe to drink, but the testing that Ohio authorities relied on to make this determination did not initially comply with federal standards. The EPA has since requested that Norfolk Southern conduct additional testing to ensure the safety of the water.

The derailment has caused disruption and worry for the residents of East Palestine. The EPA’s announcement that the municipal water is safe to drink is a welcome relief for the community.