Cincinnati closed its Ohio River water intake and switched to water supplies as a safety precaution in response to the railroad disaster in eastern Palestine, Ohio earlier this month.
On Friday, the Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW) closed the Ohio River water intake and switched to water supplies, hoping the chemical plume coming down the river from eastern Palestine will reach the city, according to a report by WXIX.
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Although the chemicals that spilled from the Feb. 3 train derailment in eastern Palestine have not been detected in the Cincinnati area, the water department is nonetheless taking safety precautions.
“We are taking this preventative action to ensure the health, safety and confidence of residents,” Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval said.
HEPACO workers watch a stream in East Palestine, Ohio, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, as cleanup continues after a Norfolk Southern freight train derailed on Friday. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
City Manager Sheryl Long said, “Our city government is prepared for these types of events,” adding, “I understand the concern and I am confident that the temporary closure of the Ohio River Intake is the best decision.”
Long also said there was “no risk of our water supplies containing any contaminants from the site of the train derailment, and tapping into these supplies will give us all peace of mind.”
Greater Cincinnati Waterworks Supervisor Jess Swertfeger said when the Ohio River’s water finally returns, they will treat it, adding, “We know what we need to do for treatment.”
Swertfeger also explained that if the Eastern Palestine plume has dissipated, the area of water containing the toxic chemicals is expected to pass through Cincinnati on Monday.
Although EPA Administrator Michael Regan urged residents of eastern Palestine to ‘trust the government’ when EPA says water is safe to drink following chemical spill toxic, many residents remain very worried.
In an exclusive interview with Breitbart News on Saturday, Ohio Sen. Michael Rulli (R-Salem) implored residents within ten miles of eastern Palestine not to drink the water.
“Anyone within ten miles, please don’t drink the water. Please don’t bathe in the water. It’s not safe,” Rulli said.
You can follow Alana Mastrangelo on Facebook and Twitter at @ARmastrangeloand on Instagram.
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