Deadline for Charleston Chemical Spill Claims Set

A federal bankruptcy judge has set an Aug. 1 deadline for financial claims by West Virginia residents and businesses affected by a January chemical spill in Charleston that contaminated the local water supply.

Proof of claims forms can be obtained and filed on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court’s website. The Charleston Gazette reoported that business losses must be accompanied by documentation, while residents don’t need such documentation for personal damage.

A spill of the coal-cleaning agent MCHM at Freedom Industries’ plant along the Elk River contaminated 300,000 people’s tap water in nine counties. Residents were ordered not to use tap water for up to 10 days except for flushing toilets and putting out fires.

Freedom filed for bankruptcy protection eight days after the spill.