On February 3, 2023, in East Palestine, Ohio, a train with tanker cars carrying several types of chemicals derailed and ruptured. Emergency responders were able to quickly respond and contain most of the chemicals. One of the chemicals, however, butyl acrylate, was detected at low levels in the Ohio River far upstream of Northern Kentucky’s water supply intakes.
Butyl acrylate is a clear liquid with a sweet odor used in arts and crafts, adhesives, flooring, sinks, bathtubs, to name just a few of the uses of the chemical.
Northern Kentucky Water District (NKWD) is working closely with drinking water utilities that rely on the Ohio River as well as the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) and state and federal regulatory partners to closely monitor the Ohio River.
ORSANCO has a detection system that is located along the entire 981 miles of the Ohio River using sophisticated instruments to analyze for chemicals that may be present in the river. Samples are being collected daily at several locations along the Ohio River. NKWD is in close contact with ORSANCO and its partners to track the chemical. NKWD has plans in place to ensure the drinking water remains safe.
Any remaining trace remnants of the spill that may still be in the Ohio River are expected to arrive in the Cincinnati area Saturday night (February 18) or early Sunday morning (February 19). NKWD is working closely with the Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW) to continue to monitor the river upstream and at our intakes.
In addition to the continuous monitoring conducted by ORSANCO and GCWW, NKWD will be collecting additional samples over the next few days for analysis. While samples upstream in the Ohio River have been non- detectable for chemicals related to the train derailment or detected at very low levels, NKWD in concert with GCWW, will shut down its Ohio River intakes as a precautionary measure. NKWD’s state-of-the art treatment processes − powdered activated carbon in addition to granular activated carbon (GAC) − will also serve as a protective treatment barrier.
“Maintaining the safety of our community’s drinking water is our highest priority,” said Lindsey Rechtin, President & CEO of NKWD. “The response to this Ohio River spill event thus far has been extraordinary. I cannot express enough gratitude to all NKWD staff for their efforts to ensure that our community’s drinking water supply remains safe and reliable. Moreover, the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) has been an incredible partner throughout this event. As a community member, I am grateful to know that the health of my family is safe because of their efforts.”
