AmeriCares Responds to Massive Chemical Spill in Kentucky

AmeriCares Foundation
Thursday, 26 October 2000

AmeriCares to send over 195,000 bottles of water donated by The Perrier Group of America

AmeriCares, the international and national disaster relief organization, announced today that it is sending 13 truck loads totaling over 195,000 bottles of water to ten counties throughout Kentucky. The 1 and 1.5 liters of water were donated by The Perrier Group of America in response to the massive spill of liquefied coal waste. AmeriCares is the only humanitarian aid organization to supply bottled water to the disaster area.

About 250 million gallons of liquefied coal waste, a semi-liquid mixture that is a product of the chemical washing of mined coal, seeped into the eastern Kentucky waterways after an overburdened 72-acre storage pond collapsed on October 11. The crisis endangered the health and safety of thousands of residents who rely on the rivers and their tributaries for their drinking water. Affected communities were forced to close off the water intake pipes, which resulted in water shortages throughout the 10-county area. Governor Paul Patton declared a state of emergency as the sludge seeped into two streams that flow into the Big Sandy River and ultimately into the Ohio River. EPA officials estimate that the clean up operation might take up to five months and millions of dollars to complete.

"AmeriCares is deeply indebted to the people of The Perrier Group," states Robert Macauley, Chairman and Founder of AmeriCares. "The attention may be off the initial disaster, but the real work has just begun and we are extremely grateful to be able to provide safe drinking water to the people of Kentucky."

The trucking schedule is as follows:

- 3 truckloads have departed Allentown, PA Monday, Oct. 23, arriving in Hagerhill, KY on Wednesday, Oct. 25.

- 3 truckloads have departed Allentown, PA on Tuesday, Oct. 24, and will arrive in Hagerhill, KY on Thursday, Oct. 26.

- 3 truckloads have departed Allentown, PA on Wednesday, Oct. 25, arriving in Hagerhill, KY on Friday, Oct. 27.

- 4 truckloads have departed Allentown, PA on Thursday, Oct 26, arriving in Hagerhill, KY on Friday, Oct. 27.

The Christian Appalachian Project will help store and distribute the bottled water to churches, community centers and various other distribution points throughout the 10 county area. As always, AmeriCares will continue to evaluate the situation and respond as necessary.

For more information, or to contact AmeriCares Foundation, see their website at: www.americares.org