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Feds To Remove West Virginia Chemical Spill Evidence
By: Associated Press
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Federal investigators will start cutting up tanks for evidence at the site of a spill that tainted 300,000 West Virginians' water supply.
Chemical Safety Board spokeswoman Hillary Cohen says on April 24 the agency plans to begin removing parts of three Freedom Industries tanks. Each contained the same coal-cleaning chemicals.
On Jan. 9, one of the tanks leaked into the Elk River, spurring a ban on tap water for up to 10 days. In Freedom bankruptcy documents, the board says the tank contained at least two holes believed to be caused by corrosion.
Bankruptcy documents say the board is awarding an 11-day contract to cut tanks with high-pressure water jets, followed by a six-month lab work contract.
The U.S. Attorney's Office and state attorney general are also investigating the spill.