EWSU Continues Ohio River Monitoring

Update - Feb. 24, 2023 - 9:30am CT

All testing has shown no detected chemicals in the water, so EWSU returned to normal testing (testing the intake water every 3 hours for contamination) and have turned off carbon. We are still keeping an eye on the cleanup efforts in East Palestine and are prepared to increase testing again if we see something concerning, but for now we’ve returned to normal operation.

Update - Feb 23, 2023 - 9:00am CT

Based on river flow, potential chemical traces from the Ohio River spill are expected to have passed the Evansville area. EWSU will continue sampling protocol. We will continue to post necessary updates on social media and ewsu.com/OhioRiverSpill. 

Update - Feb 23, 2023 - 8:00am CT

EWSU has finished samples from Angel Mounds, and they are clear of contamination. In addition, ORSANCO conducted duplicate samples at Cannelton and Newburgh Lock and Dam that confirmed EWSU's earlier test results. 

Update - Feb 22, 2023 - 6:00pm CT

EWSU has finished samples from Newburgh, and they are clear of contamination. We will update with results from Angel Mounds as soon as they are available, and results after the potential chemical trace passes the Evansville area at 2:00am Thursday. 

Update - Feb 22, 2023 - 3:05pm CT

EWSU has finished samples from Cannelton Lock and Dam, and they are clear of contamination. Next we will test samples from Newburgh and Angel Mounds and will update social media with results as soon as they are available.

Updated as of February 22, 2023 - 2:00pm CT

EVANSVILLE, Ind. –  The Evansville Water & Sewer Utility (EWSU) continues to monitor the water quality of the Ohio River as a result of the February 3 chemical spill in East Palestine, Ohio. The most recent water quality results from Louisville showed no trace of the chemical Butyl Acrylate, which had previously been detectedd near the original derailment site. The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO), which coordinates emergency responses for spills and accidental discharges in the river, has advised EWSU that if traces from the spill were still to reach Evansville they would pass our water intake structure around 5:00 pm today and pass through by 2:00 am tomorrow morning. Based on test results in Louisville, we do not anticipate any trace of Butyl Acrylate will be detected in the Evansville water samples.  

However, out of an abundance of caution, EWSU will begin the application of powder activated carbon today. Powder activated carbon will be applied to all intake water to absorb contamination and then be filtered out. That treatment process will continue until it is affirmed that any potential evidence of  the spill has completely passed the EWSU water intake structure.  

EWSU’s lab technicians are running tests now and will continue to monitor Evansville’s intake water daily to determine the water quality level. Organic components will be more closely watched. In addition, EWSU has asked ORSANCO to continue sampling the stretch of river from Louisville to Evansville to verify that contaminants continue to be non-detectable. 

EWSU has created a message center on its website to update residents and businesses regarding water quality and common concerns. Please visit ewsu.com/OhioRiverSpill for ongoing updates. Or, follow @EWSU and hashtag #OhioRiverSpill on Twitter and Facebook.