"A chemical spill along a West Virginia river on Thursday triggered a tap water ban for up to 300,000 people, shutting down schools, bars and restaurants and forcing residents to line up for bottled water at stores. Governor Earl Ray Tomblin declared a state of emergency for nine counties following the spill of 4-Methylcyclohexane Methanol, a chemical used in the coal industry."
"The spill occurred on the Elk River in Charleston, West Virginia's capital and largest city, just upriver from the eastern U.S. state's largest water treatment plant.
Health officials advised residents to use tap water only for flushing toilets and fighting fires, and ordered the closure of schools and restaurants across a wide area."
Mary Wisniewski and Eric M. Johnson report for Reuters January 10, 2014.
SEE ALSO:
"Eight Counties Warned To Not Use Water" (Charleston Gazette)
"Elk River Chemical Spill In West Virginia Prompts State Of Emergency Declaration" (AP)
"Chemical spill causes closures, rush for water in West Virginia" (Los Angeles Times)
"West Virginia Chemical Spill Contaminates Water in 9 Counties" (CNN)
"Chemical Spill Fouls Water in West Virginia" (New York Times)
"West Virginia Chemical Spill Cuts Water To Up To 300,000, State of Emergency Declared" (NBC News)
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