Elk River Chemical Spill

Hazardous chemicals were discovered leaking into the Elk River and contaminating the water supply for a nine-county region

Nearly 700 residents had called West Virginia’s poison control center as a result of the chemical leak in the Elk River

169 people had sought medical treatment for various symptoms resulting from contaminated water

The ban on drinking tap water from the Elk River was lifted and flushing of home and business water pipes began

Federal prosecutors charged Freedom Industries and six of its owners, managers and employees with criminal violations of the Clean Water Act

Other events that happened on or around December 17, 2014