Water Distribution Plan Eyed In Philly Amid Latex Spill Response

PHILADELPHIA — Officials in Philadelphia are planning for a potential water distribution effort due to a latex spill in a Delaware River tributary.

As part of the city’s emergency response protocol, officials are working to develop a water distribution plan in the event that it is needed.

Details of the water distribution plan will be shared later, if the plan is needed.

Residents in and around Philadelphia flocked to stores Sunday when the spill was announced, clearing out water from grocery stores and other retailers.

While officials are developing the plan, residents are told tap water is safe to drink through at least 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.

"This assurance is due to the treatment and continuous testing of water that is currently available to residents," according to officials. "Philadelphia Water Department will continue to track the spill closely. If at any point the water quality sampling indicates a potential impact to the river water entering the Baxter Water Treatment Plant, we will notify the public immediately."

Residents can find out if they live in a potentially impacted area online here.

To stay informed, residents are encouraged to sign up for ReadyPhiladelphia notifications by texting READYPHILA to 888-777 for free phone alerts, or customize free text and email alerts on the Office of Emergency Management’s website here.

The "latex emulsion product" was released from an Altuglas manufacturing facility Friday, shortly before midnight, into Otter Creek in Bristol due to an apparent equipment failure, according to its parent company, Trinseo PLC.

Trinseo estimated 8,100 gallons of the solution — about 50 percent water and the remainder latex polymer — was spilled.

The latex emulsion is a white liquid used in various consumer goods, the company said. Altuglas and regulatory agencies were testing water samples in the surrounding area to confirm the material was not a threat to people or wildlife.

The Bristol facility manufactures acrylic resins for Trinseo’s Engineered Materials business. The plant employs about 110 people.

The incident is being investigated by the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The Coast Guard advised residents to stay away from the area during the cleanup.