Ohio Governor Mike DeWine points to a map of East Palestine, Ohio that indicates the area that has been evacuated as a result of Norfolk and Southern train derailment, after touring the site, Monday, Feb. 6, 2023, in East Palestine, Ohio. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

EAST PALESTINE, OHIO — New water testing results have been returned to the Ohio EPA. These results show no detection of contaminants in raw water from the five wells that feed into East Palestine’s municipal water system, according to a statement from Gov. Mike DeWine’s office.

Test results from the combined, treated water from all five wells also showed no detection of contaminants associated with the derailment, the governor’s office said.

“With these tests results, Ohio EPA is confident that the municipal water is safe to drink,” according to the release.

East Palestine’s municipal water system, which provides drinking water for most area residents, takes in water from five wells that are located approximately 1 mile from the derailment site. The municipal wells are at least 56 feet below the surface and are covered by a solid steel casing that protects the water from contamination. Before drinking water is made available to the public, water from these five wells is combined at the water treatment plant and treated. the derailment.

Private Water Wells:

Because private water wells may be closer to the surface than the municipal water wells, the Ohio EPA recommends that those who receive drinking water from private water wells schedule an appointment for well water testing by an independent consultant.

For information on how to schedule your private water well for testing, call 330-849-3919. The Ohio Department of Health encourages those with private wells to use bottled water until their well water testing results are returned.