COLUMBUS, Ohio — On Tuesday, Gov. Mike DeWine and other leaders toasted and sipped tap water from a sink in East Palestine. It was to help indicate that the water was safe after residents raised concerns following a train derailment and chemical spill.
Miles away, the concern is still there for people in Ohio and even Louisville, Kentucky.
Nicole Alanis and her husband are new empty nesters. Their son Julian is a freshman at the University of Louisville. He made a phone call to his parents late last Saturday night.
"He reaches out because he's nervous he's like I’m running out of water I can't get any what do I do,” she said.
"I went to go to Costco this weekend and there was nothing, that Costco had no water,” Justin said. “I'm almost out of water and I haven't been able to find any, so it's been a process.”
The company Louisville Water said this past weekend, river water from the train derailment started flowing through the area. They said water has been and is still being tested and officials continue to find no chemicals from the spill.
Julian said that caused people to be extra cautious and not want to take any chances, even though health officials say the drinking water is safe.
"Everyone's still scared for that chance that it could really do something to you. People don't want to take that chance,” he said.
Because of that, his parents bought 15 cases of water they’re preparing to ship. His mother said this is also for other students within his dorm.