Northern Kentucky Water District changes drinking supply lines in response to East Palestine, Ohio

Picture+of+East+Palestine%2C+Ohio

Courtesy of Wikimedia

Picture of East Palestine, Ohio

In response to East Palestine, OH train derailment, NKWD (Northern Kentucky Water District) has decided to shut down the Ohio River intakes as a precautionary measure. On February 3rd, 2023, in East Palestine OH, a train with tanker cars carrying several chemicals derailed and erupted. 

One of the many chemicals that were on the train, butyl acrylate, was exposed to low levels in the Ohio River far upstream from the city water supply intakes. The chemical butyl acrylate is used for things such as pungent odor used in arts and crafts, adhesives, flooring, sinks, and bathtubs, to name just a few of the uses of the chemical. 

“NKWD will be in close contact with ORSANCO and the Kentucky Division of Water to track the chemical. If the chemical continues downstream, NKWD has plans in place to ensure the drinking water remains safe,” said NKWD via a press release