Train Derailment Prompts Water Utility Precautions

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) – A West Virginia water utility says it’s taking precautionary steps following the derailment of a train hauling chemicals that later sent up a toxic plume in Ohio. West Virginia American Water said in a statement on Sunday that it has enhanced its treatment processes even though there hasn’t been a change in raw water at its Ohio River intake. It’s also installing a secondary intake on the Guyandotte River in case there’s a need to switch to an alternate water source. There are currently no drinking water advisories in place. The train derailed in a fiery crash Feb. 3 in East Palestine, Ohio. Emergency workers evacuated nearby neighborhoods before igniting vinyl chloride from the cars.