Cincinnati city manager Sheryl Long says Greater Cincinnati Water Works is monitoring the water quality in the Cincinnati area after the train derailment and release of toxic chemicals in East Palestine.

Crews released toxic chemicals into the air from five derailed tanker cars that were in danger of exploding Monday and began burning them after warning residents near the Ohio-Pennsylvania state line to leave immediately or face the possibility of death.

Low levels of dangerous chemicals from the ones released in the derailment were detected in the Ohio River downstream of the incident.

Long says right now, the chemicals detected are far upstream of Cincinnati.

Authorities in East Palestine had warned that burning vinyl chloride that was in five of the derailed tanker cars would send hydrogen chloride and the toxic gas phosgene into the air. They said Wednesday subsequent air monitoring hasn’t detected dangerous levels inside or outside the mile-radius evacuation zone.

Long is assuring citizens that Water Works is keeping a close eye on the water quality and will act quickly if needed.

Long said if the compound is detected near Cincinnati, Greater Cincinnati Water Works can shut the river intakes for a period of time to avoid the compound altogether.

The Granular Activated Carbon used in GCWW's water treatment plant and other steps in the treatment process will remove the compound so no impact to the drinking water quality is expected.