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West Virginia chemical spill water ban to be lifted | West Virginia chemical spill water ban to be lifted |
(35 minutes later) | |
West Virginia authorities have begun lifting a ban on drinking tap water enacted after a chemical spill tainted much of the state's water supply. | West Virginia authorities have begun lifting a ban on drinking tap water enacted after a chemical spill tainted much of the state's water supply. |
Governor Earl Ray Tomblin announced some of the 300,000 people affected could begin using the water on Monday. | Governor Earl Ray Tomblin announced some of the 300,000 people affected could begin using the water on Monday. |
Only residents of designated areas were authorised to begin consuming water until further testing could be done. | Only residents of designated areas were authorised to begin consuming water until further testing could be done. |
On Thursday, a chemical used to process coal leaked from a plant into the Elk River. | On Thursday, a chemical used to process coal leaked from a plant into the Elk River. |
"The numbers we have today look good and we are finally at a point where the 'do not use order' has been lifted," Governor Tomblin told reporters on Monday. | "The numbers we have today look good and we are finally at a point where the 'do not use order' has been lifted," Governor Tomblin told reporters on Monday. |
West Virginia American Water President Jeff McIntyre warned it could be days before the entire system was cleared of contaminated water. | |
The contamination had forced authorities to close schools and businesses in nine counties, and the state legislature in the capital city of Charleston cancelled a legislative session. | The contamination had forced authorities to close schools and businesses in nine counties, and the state legislature in the capital city of Charleston cancelled a legislative session. |
Residents were warned not to use tap water for drinking, washing-up, bathing or cooking. | Residents were warned not to use tap water for drinking, washing-up, bathing or cooking. |
President Barack Obama has accepted West Virginia's request for a disaster declaration, which allows federal aid to be used. | President Barack Obama has accepted West Virginia's request for a disaster declaration, which allows federal aid to be used. |
Charleston Mayor Danny Jones called the spill "devastating to the public at large and to the people that live in our city" on Friday. | Charleston Mayor Danny Jones called the spill "devastating to the public at large and to the people that live in our city" on Friday. |
The spill was first found after the state's environmental protection department received a report of a strange odour near the Elk River on Thursday. | The spill was first found after the state's environmental protection department received a report of a strange odour near the Elk River on Thursday. |
Officials found a leaking storage unit, a spokesman said. The spill had overrun a containment area and leaked into the river. | Officials found a leaking storage unit, a spokesman said. The spill had overrun a containment area and leaked into the river. |
While the leaking container held at least 40,000 gallons (182,000 litres), state environmental official Tom Aluise said investigators were "confident" that no more than 5,000 gallons escaped. | While the leaking container held at least 40,000 gallons (182,000 litres), state environmental official Tom Aluise said investigators were "confident" that no more than 5,000 gallons escaped. |
Coal manufacturer Freedom Industries said the chemical, 4-methylcyclohexane methanol, could be harmful if swallowed and could cause skin and eye irritation. | Coal manufacturer Freedom Industries said the chemical, 4-methylcyclohexane methanol, could be harmful if swallowed and could cause skin and eye irritation. |