Updates from the East Palestine Train Derailment Emergency Response EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (December 15, 2023) • The on-site wastewater treatment system continues to be shut down temporarily due to maintenance and operational adjustments. Previously treated wastewater and untreated wastewater continue to be shipped off-site. • Norfolk Southern continues winterization of equipment at the on-site wastewater treatment facility. The heating systems in the big blue tanks, and the other effluent tanks containing treated non- hazardous liquid, may cause some visible water vapor. This water vapor does not pose any health risks. A large tent-like structure has been installed over top of the wastewater treatment system to keep the system operational in colder temperatures. • Work continues in the underground culverts in East Palestine. The culvert running underneath the municipal building was finished this week. To date, no visible oil sheen has been observed in culverts. No contaminants of concern have been detected in air during culvert cleanout work. • Field work to implement requirements of EPA's order to Norfolk Southern to conduct a qualitative assessment to identify whether sheen is present in Sulphur Run and Leslie Run is complete. Sediment and sheen sampling at those locations were completed on December 1. Laboratory analyses of samples are underway. • EPA's Welcome Center is open by appointment only. To make an appointment, please call EPA's information line at 330-775-6517. Questions can also be sent to r5 eastpalestine@epa.gov. • The monthly East Palestine newsletter was mailed on December 13 and can be found here. The next newsletter is expected to be released around January 10. Previous editions are available on EPA's East Palestine webpage, available at https://www.epa.gov/east-palestine-oh-train-derailment. • Site operations will be reduced during the week of Christmas with limited staff on-site. The Norfolk Southern Family Assistance Center will be closed from December 22 to January 1 and will reopen January 2, 2024. Response by the Numbers (as of December 15) • 175,406 tons (estimated) of solid waste shipped. • 40,481,131 gallons (estimated) of wastewater shipped. What to Expect Next Week At the derailment site: • Continue wastewater management. In the greater community: • Continue final characterization sampling. • Continue surface water sampling at Leslie and Sulphur Run. • Continue removal of sediments and debris within Sulphur Run culverts in East Palestine. ------- |