VIDEO | Ohio Train Derailment: EPA tests water in East Palestine

More than two weeks after a train carrying hazardous materials was derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ordered Norfolk Southern to clean up the aftermath.

U.S. EPA Administrator Michael Regan made the announcement during a press conference alongside Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro in East Palestine on Tuesday afternoon. According to Regan, the order requires Norfolk Southern, the railway operator responsible for the Feb. 3 derailment, to do the following:

Clean up all contamination in soil and water and safely transport the contamination to appropriate locations to ensure that residents aren't further impacted. The cleanup must be performed to EPA specifications.

Reimburse the EPA for cleaning services that will be offered to all residents and businesses in the radius of the crash. The services will be performed by EPA staff and contractors with extensive experience in such cleanups.

Attend and participate in public meetings at EPA's request and share information with the public to create full transparency.

EPA will review and approve Norfolk Southern's work plan with input from state and local government officials.

If Norfolk Southern fails to complete any action ordered by the EPA, the agency will immediately step in, conduct the work on its own and then force Norfolk Southern to pay triple in cost.

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[TPVPRO]

Depending on soil material it could take years for the contaminated water to reach the well water. So continued testing needs to happen on a weekly schedule.

[wvguy]

The only tests they have released, saying its safe, was performed by Norfolk. County EPA took tests but haven't releasef results. We can only speculate as to why.