Regional Risk Assessors conducted a private drinking water well risk evaluation. Within the same watershed as the spill location, two private drinking water wells within a mile have been evaluated. These wells are located on the opposite side of the river from the spill and draw from deep groundwater. These and other wells are unlikely to be affected. In general, groundwater is discharging into the Emory River. Under normal conditions, for most of its length, including this section of the Emory River, it is a gaining river, meaning it serves as a primary collection point. It does not flow into groundwater. The ethanol released into the river is an alcohol that is in alcoholic beverages. It is readily biodegradable and it is not a persistent chemical. Resources for drinking water wells may be found at https://www.tn.gov/environment/program-areas/wr-water-resources/water-quality/well-water.html.

On the evening of June 24, deceased fish were observed on the Emory River near Harriman, TN. The area was investigated and the impacts to fish appear to be associated with low dissolved oxygen levels in the river.  Low oxygen levels can be associated with natural degradation of ethanol that happens when river microbes and bacteria break down ethanol and consume oxygen from the environment. The reduced dissolved oxygen levels can impact fish and other aquatic life.  

Norfolk Southern and regulatory agencies including US Environmental Protection Agency, Tennessee Department of Environmental Conservation Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency, US Fish Wildlife are assessing the extent of impacts and will continue monitoring the Emory River.  Ethanol and dissolved oxygen concentrations have been monitored since the derailment, and mitigation efforts, such as aeration, continue in an effort to increase river dissolved oxygen levels.  Surface water sampling shows that ethanol in the river is well below human health advisory levels. 

If you see aquatic mortality, please report your observations to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency at 1-800-332-0900. 

TDEC’s Division of Water Resources has lifted the temporary contact advisory that was put in place for the Emory River due to the train derailment in Morgan County. TDEC reviewed monitoring results from samples collected between June 12-20. The results for both ethanol and 2-butoxyethanol (primary ingredient in the firefighting foam) are now well below EPA recommended guidance values. They will be removing the signs posted on the river.

See https://response.epa.gov/sites/17328/files/FIG-1_SW_LAYOUT_20260625.pdf for updated sample data received as of the morning of June 25 for Ethanol.

See https://response.epa.gov/sites/17328/files/FIG-1_SW_BXETH_LAYOUT_20260625.pdf for updated sample data received as of the morning of June 25 for 2-Butoxyethanol.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Agency for Toxic Substances Disease Registry (ATSDR) provided action levels for ethanol and 2-butoxyehtanol in the Emory River based on recreational use. The action level is 1500 parts per million (PPM). Ethanol is an alcohol found in alcoholic beverages. The action level for 2-butoxyethanol is 2,780 PPM. The action levels were based on a swimming scenario with incidental ingestion by children. Please note, it is never safe to consume untreated water. Daily analytical results for surface water samples collected indicate that ethanol and 2-butoxyethanol concentrations are below the action levels. 

Firefighting foam was used up until Sunday, June 14. The foam product is called SOLBERG® VERSAGARD™ AS-100. This firefighting foam does not contain any fluorinate compounds such as Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) or Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The foam was diluted with water and applied as a three percent solution in water as directed by the manufacturer’s instructions. The active ingredients and the concentrations of the active ingredients are the same compounds found in consumer grade shampoos. Remnants of the firefighting foam have been observed on the Emory River, downstream from the derailment. The remnants will naturally attenuate overtime.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Agency for Toxic Substances Disease Registry (ATSDR) provided action levels for ethanol in the Emory River based on recreational use. The action level is 1500 parts per million (PPM). Ethanol is an alcohol found in alcoholic beverages. The action level was based on a swimming scenario with incidental ingestion by children. Please note, it is never safe to consume untreated water. Daily analytical results for surface water samples collected through 6/20/2026 indicate that ethanol concentrations near NPS Rock Creek Campground and Nemo Use Day Area as well as downstream at Oakdale are below the action level. The TDEC non-contact advisories remain in place from the Nemo Day Use Area to the derailment site out of an abundance of caution. Current summary of ethanol concentrations can be found at https://response.epa.gov/sites/17328/files/FIG-1_SW_LAYOUT_20260623.pdf. The Ethanol released at the derailment was denatured with a small amount of gasoline (1-5%). There has been no detection of the components of gasoline above TDEC regulatory water quality criteria at any of the surface water sampling points since the derailment occurred. The main active ingredient of the firefighting foam is 2-butoxyethanol (ethylene glycol monobutyl ether). There have been no detections of this compound in the respective surface water samples received to date. Sampling for this compound began on June 15.