East Palestine cleanup crews are making strides toward a brighter future, as they've started getting rid of those one-million-gallon tanks that rested at the site of the train derailment.

The tanks were first constructed to capture wastewater while cleanup was underway, but after "...major excavation in the derailment area was completed..." and since then, "...extensive sampling has taken place," the EPA believes the natural flow of water could now return to the ditches.

A waste water expert continues to assure residents the water is safe.

"Our water is no different, in fact it's better than it was on February 2nd the day before the derailment," Scott Wolfe, wastewater superintendent said. "Simply because we have carbon filtration now so that improves the taste but also gives another layer of protection," he said.

People who live in the village are pleased with the progress being made.

"I think it's doing a good job, I just wish they'd get the hell out of here," Paul Cochran, East Palestine resident said.

"It seems like it's going well, I really ain't like a scientist that knows how bad the soil is but other than that, you can't even really tell it happened," Kurt Brown, East Palestine resident said.

A statement from Norfolk Southern reads:

"This marks a significant restoration milestone and is part of the overall effort to restore the affected areas to pre-derailment conditions. Storm water will continue to be collected and disposed of off-site from the remaining water management areas. As the tank containment materials are removed, confirmation sampling will occur in the areas beneath the former tanks followed by re-grading and restoration."

There's currently still one tank at the site, waiting to be dismantled.