Paducah Water said Wednesday they are proactively monitoring chemical levels in the Ohio River following the train derailment, fire and spill in East Palestine, Ohio.

Paducah Water stressed that the water in Paducah is safe. They also said that the treatment system would be able to remove the types of chemicals spilled in the Ohio accident. 

Paducah Water said that as of Monday the first detectable traces of butyl acrylate, which was spilled in the derailment, were showing up around mile 200 of the Ohio River, halfway between Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. Paducah’s water intake is at mile 935, over 700 miles downstream. They said that the chemical is being further diluted as it flows and should cause no impact on Paducah. 

The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission, of which Paducah Water is a member, is leading the response to the Ohio disaster. Paducah is also working with the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, along with other water utilities along the Ohio to stay apprised of any developments.

East Palestine is located on the Ohio-Pennsylvania border, about ten miles north of where the Ohio River flows from Pittsburgh.

Reported By West KY Star