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WV Water Company: Foam On Elk River Not Affecting Water Quality

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A water company affected in a Jan. 9 chemical spill in West Virginia says white foam spotted in its source river has not changed water quality at its plant.

In a news release, West Virginia American Water says its water intake was shut down for two hours Thursday to learn more about the Elk River foam. Employees didn't see the foam near the plant's intake.

Environmental regulators say the foam came from upstream of Freedom Industries, where the January spill contaminated 300,000 West Virginians' tap water for days.

State testing showed no unnatural odors or harmful materials.

The water company says foam can form naturally when leaves and other organic substances break down in water. It said the foam dissipated by late afternoon.

The company is awaiting additional test results.