The City of Cincinnati and Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW) continue to closely monitor Ohio River water and are working diligently to ensure the safety of all Cincinnati area residents following the recent train derailment and subsequent chemical spill in East Palestine, Ohio.

The intake was closed at 2 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, as a precautionary measure while water from East Palestine passed through the Cincinnati area. After extensive sampling of river water Sunday through Monday morning, there have been no detections of the specific chemicals from the train derailment. GCWW did have an extremely low detection of the compound 2-Ethyl-1-hexanol in one sample collected in the river near the closed intake Sunday afternoon, Feb. 19.; however, there have been no detections since that time.

As a reminder, GCWW had the water intakes closed throughout this sampling period, so no river water entered the water plant. After continued monitoring and sampling, around 12 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20, GCWW determined it is safe to reopen the water intake.

Optimized treatment has been incorporated as a precautionary measure. Additionally, GCWW will continue to closely monitor and sample the Ohio River and work with neighboring utilities and partners.

Test Results: