Thousands of people cannot use their tap water after the Elk River in Charleston, W. Va., was contaminated on Thursday.
Thousands of people are still without usable tap water after a chemical spill was discovered in the Elk River in Charleston, W.Va., on Thursday, Jan. 9, leaving more than 300,000 people in the surrounding areas without drinking water.
The Elk River in Charleston on Jan. 11.
Lisa Hechesky / Reuters
The tap water is still unsuitable for drinking, washing or bathing, local media reports. Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin declared a state of emergency on Friday.
7,500 gallons of 4-methylcyclohexane methanol -- a chemical used to for cleaning coal -- leaked from a storage tank about a mile away from the water plant, CNN reports.
Lisa Hechesky / Reuters
Gov. Tomblin said much progress has been made, but it was too early to give an "all clear" to begin flushing the water systems, which would take several days.
Lisa Hechesky / Reuters
There is not yet a specific timetable given on when flushing will begin.
Lisa Hechesky / Reuters
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