This drinking water sampling data is generated as part of the weekly monitoring of East Palestine’s finished municipal drinking water and the five raw wells that are the source of East Palestine’s municipal drinking water (see schedule at the bottom of this page). The raw water is always treated at the local water treatment plant before it is considered “finished.” Only finished drinking water is distributed to customers.

At this time, no chemicals associated with the derailment have been detected in either raw or treated water.

How are samples taken?

Samples are collected by either the Ohio EPA or the Columbiana County Health District and the independent contractor. This is known as split sampling. The sampling schedule is posted here. This data is analyzed at a certified laboratory for more than 190 chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs).

To ensure accuracy, the data undergoes quality assurance and quality control measures. The process is detailed; therefore, final results may not be available for 5 to 7 days after the samples were collected.

New data tables

Ohio EPA has launched two new tables:

• Summary of Detections in East Palestine's Wells summarizes the chemicals that have been detected in the raw well water, which is water taken directly from the wells before it goes through treatment at the water treatment plant.
• Summary of Detections in Treated Drinking Water summarizes the chemicals detected in the finished water that has been treated and is going to customers.

When looking at these tables, it is important to know that the Reporting Limit (RL) is the minimum level the lab can reliably measure a chemical. If the chart shows <RL, it means the lab did not detect the chemical. Different labs can have different reporting limits, which is why some chemicals show up as a number from Summit Labs but are <RL from Eurofins Lab.

Although some chemicals not associated with the derailment were found in the raw water, these chemicals were not found in the finished water -- which means the treatment plant is effectively treating for these chemicals.

Full lab reports

• Final Results Ohio EPA Lab, March 24, 2023 (Sampling date March 21, 2023)
• Final Results, March 29, 2023 (Sampling date March 21, 2023)
• Final Results Ohio EPA Lab, March 22, 2023 (Sampling date March 14, 2023)
• Final Results, March 25, 2023 (Sampling date March 14, 2023)
• Final Results Ohio EPA Lab, March 16, 2023 (Sampling date March 7, 2023)
• Final Results, March 16, 2023 (Sampling date March 7, 2023)
• Final Results Ohio EPA Lab, March 9, 2023 (Sampling date Feb. 28, 2023)
• Final Results, March 9, 2023 (Sampling date Feb. 28, 2023)
• Final Results, March 2, 2023 (Sampling date Feb. 21, 2023)
• Final Results, Feb. 17 (Sampling date Feb. 12, 2023)
• Final Results, Feb 17 (Sampling date Feb. 10, 2023)
• Preliminary Results, Feb. 14, 2023 (Sampling date Feb. 12, 2023)
• Preliminary Results, Feb. 15, 2023 (Sampling date Feb. 10, 2023)
• Columbiana County Health District Drinking Water Sampling Results

Sentinel Monitoring Well Results

A series of monitoring wells are installed to test ground water in the immediate vicinity of the derailment and in areas between the derailment site and the village’s wellfield. The wells are intended to catch any potential contaminants associated with the derailment before they reach the municipal wells. Five monitoring wells have been drilled so far, and results have shown no chemicals associated with the derailment in the water.

Ohio EPA has launched a new table:

• Summary of Detections in Sentinel Monitoring Wells summarizes the chemicals that have been detected in the ground water that is being sampled between the derailment site and the village’s wellfield.

Full Lab Reports

• Final Results Ohio EPA Lab, March 22, 2023 (Sampling date March 9, 2023)
• Final Results, March 18, 2023 (Sampling date March 9, 2023)
• Final Results Ohio EPA Lab, March 17, 2023 (Sampling date March 8, 2023)
• Final Results, March 17, 2023 (Sampling date March 8, 2023)
• Final Results, March 12, 2023 (Sampling date March 3, 2023)
• Final Results Ohio EPA Lab, March 16, 2023 (Sampling date March 2, 2023)
• Final Results, March 15, 2023 (Sampling date March 2, 2023)
• Final Results, March 7, 2023 (Sampling date Feb. 24, 2023)
• Final Results, March 8, 2023 (Sampling date Feb. 24, 2023)

Monitoring Schedule