A
second set of water samples on a white foam substance observed in the Coal
River tested negative today for soap or other harmful materials. These results,
combined with test results from last night, indicate that the foam was most
likely a natural occurrence related to the decay of plants and other organic
materials.
Reports
of the foam prompted health and water system officials to close the water
intakes for the Lincoln Public Service District and the St. Albans water system
for several hours yesterday as a precaution. The intakes were reopened last
night after the initial testing determined not only that there were no
abnormalities in the water, but also that the foam was highly insoluble.
Insoluble materials would stay on the surface of the water and would not easily
be pulled into the water intakes, which are below the river’s surface. Also, in
the unlikely event that any of this material did enter a water treatment
system, it would be caught in the plant’s filtration system.
The
water samples collected by PSD officials were tested last night at a West
Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources laboratory in Big Chimney.
The second round of samples collected by the West Virginia Department of
Environmental Protection was tested at ALS Environmental in South Charleston.
Also, DEP inspectors searched along the river and feeder streams yesterday and
saw no indications of any leaks or spills.
Allison C. Adler ■ DHHR Director of Communications ■ (304) 558-7899 ■ allison.c.adler@wv.gov