West Virginia counties without water following chemical leak

Nine counties throughout West Virginia, US have been told not to drink their tap water after a chemical leak has caused health concerns. As many as 300,000 residents have been affected by the leak that means they are unable to drink, cook, bathe or wash clothes with the water from their taps until the issue is resolved.

The chemical spill occurred at the Elk River in Charleston, which has prompted governor Earl ray Tomblin to declare a state of emergency. A chemical foaming agent that is used during the preparation of coal leaked into the river from a tank. It spilled over a containment area at Freedom Industries and ended up contaminating the river yesterday (Thursday January 9th).

It is not yet known how much of the foaming agent has made it into the river or how long it will affect customers. Only those that receive water from West Virginia American Water are likely to have been affected by the spill as the company has a plant nearby to the site of the incident. 

Although it isn't known what type of health issues are posed to humans by the spill and there have not been any reports of illness following the incident, officials are advising that residents have no contact with their tap water until further notice. It is thought that the chemical could possibly cause eye and skin irritation as well as other problems if consumed.  

The announcement has meant that schools and businesses in the affected area have had to close due to the lack of available water. Residents have also had to buy bottled water from supermarkets, which has reportedly caused some problems as supply does not meet demand in some areas. 

Freedom Industries is working with state officials to get bottled water to residents and water distribution sites will be reported by local media. Residents have been told that tap water should only be used for flushing toilets and dealing with fires.

State environmental officials are currently testing water to try and determine how bad the contamination is.