North Canton Public Water System Sources Safe, Not Affected by Environmental Concerns Related to East Palestine, Ohio Train Derailment Disaster of February 3rd, 2023
UPDATE FOR NORTH CANTON WATER CUSTOMERS – FEBRUARY 17, 2023: We are aware of the ongoing disaster response and environmental concerns in East Palestine, Ohio following the derailment of a train carrying hazardous materials on February 3rd, 2023. We would like to reassure all North Canton water distribution customers that the North Canton Public Water System (PWS) supply is safe, secure, and not impacted by this disaster in any way.
The North Canton PWS sources water from underground (aquifers). Comparatively, East Palestine utilizes surface water from sources such as the Ohio River, which are by nature more susceptible to hazardous material contamination from surface-level disasters such as the one unfolding there now. North Canton’s underground sources are located within and immediately surrounding North Canton city limits, a significant land distance from East Palestine. Moreover, should contaminated surface water from East Palestine work into their area’s ground water, it would still not be capable of impacting North Canton groundwater; there is no connecting aquifer between North Canton underground water sources and those surrounding East Palestine.
In 2021, the City of North Canton took proactive measures to protect our underground water sources from hazardous contaminants by establishing our Source Water Protection Plan (SWPP). North Canton Water Treatment Plant staff will continue to monitor daily for any threats to our water system and continue to regularly monitor and test for hazardous chemicals in the water supply as part of standard operating procedures. For more information regarding the State of Ohio’s environmental response and monitoring of the East Palestine train derailment, you may visit the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s dedicated webpage at epa.ohio.gov/monitor-pollution/pollution-issues/east-palestine.