Chemical Spill in Elk River

Drinking Supply for Charleston, WV Contaminated

Chemical Spill in Elk River

MCHM

Thursday January 9, 2014

"In a crisis, tell it all, tell it fast, and tell the truth."

Water Treatment Plant 1 1/2 miles downstream from Freedom Industries

• Finds out about spill at 12 pm from DEP not Freedom Industries
• Believes their filters can handle the contaminant

January 9, 2014

• By 8:15 AM DEP had received several complaints about a licorice odor
• At 11:15 AM they had traced the odor to Freedom Industries
• DEP found a 4 foot wide stream flowing across containment dike and into ground
• A sheen was visible on water

DEP = Dept. of Environmental

Protection

• Around 5 pm the contaminant overwhelms the filters, DEP is notified
• At 5:45 pm water is declared unsafe to drink

Timeline:

Thursday Jan. 9 Morning Spill Detected

Thursday Jan. 9 5:45 PM Water Declared Unsafe to Drink

Thursday Jan. 9 Evening Governor Declares State of Emergency

Thursday Jan. 9 Evening President Declares Federal State of Emergency

Friday Jan. 10 Afternoon Press Release Issued

Friday Jan. 10 Evening Press Conference

"In a crisis, tell it all, tell it fast, and tell the truth."

"The Press Conference"

• President of Freedom Industries is tired and impatient
• He cuts off reporter and then returns
• He is DRINKING WATER

They should have said:

A chemical leak at Freedom Industries occurred this morning and was discovered at 10:30 AM. The incident is under investigation and more information will be released. If you will leave your name and number, I will contact you with that information.

Initially, Freedom Industries refused media inquiries.

Recap:

• In an environmental crisis, government officials should be notified immediately
• Any other affected organizations should be contacted - Water treatment plant
• All relevant information should be disclosed
• Phones should be manned with a statement
• A press release should go out as soon as possible
• Press conference should be handled by a professional

Timeline Continued:

By Friday afternoon

Freedom Industries releases a statement through Charles Ryan Associates that they are cooperating with authorities.

Jan. 17 Freedom Industries declares Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Jan. 18 Last "Do not use" order is lifted by Water Company

Jan. 21 Additional chemical component is communicated by Freedom Industries

Feb. 28 Governor lifts state of emergency

References:

Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Elk_River_chemical_spill

West Virginia American Water Kanawha Valley Customer Updates

http://www.amwater.com/files/McIntyre%20Testimony%202%206%202014%20Final.pdf

CDC

http://www.wvdhhr.org/CDCGuidance.pdf

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/chemical/MCHM/westvirginia2014/

West Virginia Gazette

http://www.wvgazette.com/News/201401220031

Videos

http://rt.com/news/

National Science Foundation

Youtube.com