Initial cleanup efforts completed, full re-assessment of streams underway in East Palestine
EAST PALESTINE, Ohio - 16 months after the toxic train derailment in East Palestine, initial cleanup efforts in Leslie Run were completed this week.
A full re-assessment of Leslie and Sulphur Runs are now underway to identify any residual oil sheening that needs to be addressed. Sulphur Run is being evaluated first, then crews will move to Leslie Run. This work will continue for several weeks.
The Ohio EPA states that 178,717 tons of solid waste have been shipped out of East Palestine throughout the initial cleanup efforts. In addition, 70,850,706 gallons of wastewater have been shipped. As of June 6, the Ohio EPA says 64% of confirmatory sampling work is complete.
Community members of East Palestine may notice soil movement activity occurring south of Taggart Street, as water storage is being reduced in that area.
According to a press release from the East Palestine Train Derailment Emergency Response Team, the return of natural water flow back into Sulphur Run continues. This return of water to the ditches results in much less water collection volume. This in turn allows for tank farm areas to be decommissioned and for final clearance sampling and restoration to be completed.
The EPA's Welcome Center is open near the derailment site but by appointment only. Give the EPA's information line a call at 330-775-6517 to schedule your own appointment. Any questions or concerns you may also be directed to r5_eastpalestine@epa.gov.
Starting the week of June 10, crews will continue site-wide confirmation sampling and also continue to ship untreated non-hazardous water.
The Ohio EPA is also planning to continue a full creek re-assessment to Sulphur Run.
