Ohio River Test Results Show No Contaminants from Train Derailment

Greater Cincinnati Water Works has been conducting testing since the incident in eastern Ohio on Feb. 3.

Shutterstock photo.

CINCINNATI – No contaminants have been found in the Ohio River at Cincinnati following a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio earlier this month.

Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW) has been closely monitoring the water quality of the Ohio River after trace amounts of industrial chemicals leaked into the river after the train derailment on February 3.

Although the spill happened nearly 300 miles from Cincinnati, the GCWW is part of a network of water utilities that constantly monitor the Ohio River and its tributaries.

Results of water samples taken from the river did not detect the presence of any hazardous chemicals involved in the February 3 incident. Some of the train cars were carrying industrial chemicals and it is believed that low levels of butyl acrylate seeped into the Ohio River through a small creek about 300 miles north of Cincinnati.

Approximately 111 water samples were tested from the date of the derailment through Tuesday. The testing involved four chemicals - butyl acrylate, vinyl chloride, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, and ethylhexyl acrylate.

According to the GCWW, scientists have spent the past few days looking at the size and location of the spill and calculated the travel time of the spill’s plume to reach Cincinnati. The organization is also looking at how to treat the spill if the plume reaches the Cincinnati area.

“We know that trace amounts of this chemical can cause minor odors to the water, but through conventional treatment and the use of powdered activated carbon, we can ensure a supply of safe and healthy water remains available to our customers,” GWCC said in a statement.

For more information, visit https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/water/news/ohio-river-test-results-show-no-contaminants/.