After Chemical Spill, Philly Residents Have Concerns About Water Safety

What’s the story?

• Over 8,000 gallons of hazardous materials spilled into the drinking supply in the Philadelphia area on Friday, causing millions of residents to panic. 
• A chemical plant in Bristol, PA, accidentally dumped water-based latex finishing solution into a creek connected to the Delaware River, which provides water to over 17 million people, including 1.5 million Philadelphia residents. 
• Late Friday, the Philadelphia Water Department was monitoring the spill. The city recommended that residents use bottled water, which it later rescinded, saying the tap water would be safe to drink and for use until at least 11:59 pm on Wednesday. 
• Nevertheless, many residents are erring on the side of caution and relying on bottled water. By Monday night, shelves of bottled water were emptied out at most local grocery stores. 

What are city officials saying?

• Mike Carroll, deputy managing director of the City’s Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Sustainability, said the water is safe to drink, cook with, brush your teeth with, and bathe in. 
• Mayor Jim Kenney, who was criticized for being absent from the public eye at the beginning of the week, said:

“We can all confidently say the threat has passed. I repeat, all the city’s drinking water is safe to drink.”

• While speaking to the public Tuesday evening, Kenney even drank a glass of water himself. He continued talking about the city’s decision to warn people not to use the tap water on Sunday.

“When we weren’t sure, we had to give people some advisory, so people would be safe. If we had held on to the information, you would be asking me why we didn’t say anything. The guidance was a suggestion if you feel more comfortable, buy…get a bottled water. I don’t think this is rocket science here.”

• The Water Department said it’s testing water in the Delaware River “around the clock.” Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole said contamination levels are minimal and health risks are low as the water travels and dilutes. 

Are residents concerned?

• Many residents are still concerned about the safety of their tap water. Resident Gerald Brown told CNN that he would continue to buy bottled water as a precaution. He said: 

“You just can’t take any chances nowadays. You just gotta take care of your family. You gotta be sure.”

• Resident Joe Sole is extra cautious after the incident in East Palestine. He told CNN:

“We’re afraid to drink the regular water. I don’t trust the city…They sound like they don’t really know what they’re talking about. They don’t sound confident in what they’re telling us.”

• Michelle Gannon, a biogeochemistry professor at Drexel University, warned that the impacts of chemical contamination might not be evident for up to 15 days. 

“I really want to harp on the fact that we need to have consistent environmental monitoring because we won’t be able to tell if there was some kind of impact from a spill or something else like this without knowing what the baseline was.”

Do you support Philadelphia officials telling residents that the water is safe to use and drink?

-Jamie Epstein

(Photo credit: iStock/Wirestock)