EPA continues remediation on EP waterways

May 13, 2023

A sign warns residents of contamination in Sulphur Run as remediation continues on waterways in the wake of the Norfolk Southern train derailment. The Environmental Protection Agency addressed surface water concerns during its fourth session of an information series held at The Way Station on Thursday. (Photo by Stephanie Elverd)

EAST PALESTINE – The Region 5 Environmental Protection Agency shifted the conversation to surface water at The Way Station on Thursday.

The session was the latest in a series of the agency’s information series about environmental remediation in the wake of Norfolk Southern train derailment. The EPA’s Water Quality Supervisor Bill Zawiski and response coordinator Mark Durno spoke to concerned residents about the ongoing remediation of the area waterways, specifically Sulphur and Leslie Runs, and while the EPA is pleased with the progress and the return of aquatic life, both creeks remain contaminated.

“There are portions of the creek like Sulphur Run that are contaminated,” Durno said. “I go in there a couple times a week and I stir the sediments and I see it. I see the sheen, but, like Bill, I am also encouraged by the rejuvenation of Leslie Run. Compared to February, it looks completely different. I know there are concerns that we’re painting a picture that everything is good, but we recognize there is still a lot of contamination out there.”

When pressed by residents as to what exactly the sheen is, Durno said that while data shows that vinyl chloride is no longer a concern, the agency is still tracking a combination of butyl acrylate and some petroleum products.

And when asked if that includes benzene, Durno confirmed it did.

“That (benzene) is part of the family of petroleum products,” he said. “Yes, absolutely.”

An interactive sampling location map on epa.ohio.gov provides a list of what chemicals the surface water is still being screened for as well as the reporting limits for each compound in parts per billion (ppb). The compounds and reporting levels are benzene (.34), vinyl chloride (0.29), 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (1.0), polypropylene glycol 619), diproplylene glycol (5000), diethylene glycol (5000) and methyl acrylate (1.0). A reporting level for 2-butoxyethanol was not listed but the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry considers the occupational standard to be 50 parts per million. The interactive map allows users to click on a sampling area and then the latest testing results of each compound is displayed. The map shows heavy contamination in the days following the disaster with some detections thousands of times higher than the reporting levels, but those numbers have since dropped back down to or below reporting levels. However, there have been exceptions. At the sampling location for Sulphur Run near Concord Drive, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate registered at 617 ppb and 595 ppb in late April. Also in April, surface water sampling at the derailment site detected benzene levels of 1.4 ppb and Leslie Run at Jimtown had levels of polypropylene glycol above the reporting levels.

Still, the EPA found the water sampling data “favorable” and, according to last week’s EPA newsletter, “Ohio EPA and Norfolk Southern stopped treating water in Sulphur Run in April.” The newsletter said that included removing water treatment equipment, like water pumps, air compressors and diffusers from the creek.

Zawiski said the next phase of the waterway remediation will include sediment cleaning in Leslie Run, while water chemistry sampling and sediment sampling will continue. More sediment samples are crucial as Zawiski said not enough sediment samples were collected at first and the last sample was taken in March.

“One area that we’re missing that details information right now is sediment. There were three different rounds of sediment sampling and one that was initially not as extensive and then we had two more,” he said. “When you walk on the stream there is still water flowing underneath what you’re stepping on. We have to ask the question of that to get to what is still here. We don’t exactly have all the information we need to make good decisions right now and that’s our next phase of assessment.”

During the session, the EPA reported their approach to remedying the waterways includes fish and insect activity. Fish tissue will also be studied as will stressors unrelated to the derailment that may have an impact on water quality. Toxicity tests will continue as well as sediment sampling.

Residents voiced frustration over lack of public data regarding the sediment sampling that has already been completed. The EPA said they would work on getting that information out to the public.

Another point of contention between the EPA and the residents in attendance arose when Zawiski confirmed that the Ohio EPA is not conducting the sampling of the surface water. Instead, it is being completed by Norfolk Southern contractor CTEH.

“They may be a contractor, but who pays them? Norfolk Southern does,” East Palestine resident Jami Wallace said. “How do you expect us to take these results seriously when you are letting the person that did this be the ones that tests it?”

Zawiski countered that regardless of who takes the samples, they are sent to the same laboratory and that the sampling is overseen by the EPA. He called the process “the standard” and said that process would not change.

That answer wasn’t good enough for resident Linda Murphy who asked Durno and Zawiski to put themselves in her shoes.

“I know you guys are going to say this is the way it’s done; however, for a moment step out of your EPA gear and imagine yourself as an EP resident,” she said. “You have to be fearful because so far Norfolk Southern has not been transparent, not been accountable and not been honest. We are here to hear what you have to say. And I think we are all here because we need information, but deep down we want reassurance so when we hear that you guys aren’t the ones doing the testing, that’s not very reassuring.”

Murphy is one of several East Palestine residents who has attended every installment of the informational series which has addressed the quality of soil, air, private wells and surface water in and around the village. Murphy has also been vocal about growing health concerns and the need for a public health session. That persistence paid off as Durno announced that health officials and health experts will address residents during next week’s installment. That session will also be held at the Way Station from 6 to 7 p.m.

Debra Shore, regional administrator for the U.S. EPA Region 5, and Ann Vogel, head of the Ohio EPA, were both in the audience during the surface water presentation but did not speak during it. They were, however, available to talk with residents at the conclusion of the session.

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