Bellaire residents are permitted to use water again after crews accidentally added hydrochloric acid to the system instead of fluoride.

A supplier, Ohio Valley Chemical, accidently gave the plant hydrochloric acid instead of fluoride, said Kirk Baker, superintendent of the water department.

Baker said workers at the treatment inadvertently added about 40 pounds of hydrochloric acid to the system on Sunday. They realized the mistake Monday morning when they saw fluoride levels were lower than normal.

"It was a mistake. It could happen to anybody. It was a very serious mistake, (but) it could have been worse," Baker said.

Baker said the fact that the wrong acid was delivered --- and ended up in the water system --- was both the department's and the suppliers' fault.

"Unfortunately, the drums are all the same size and the same color. The labeling is different but they didn't catch it and I didn't catch it until this morning," he said.

He added, "I want to apologize. We never meant to inconvenience anyone. All I can say is it was an unfortunate accident and it won't happen again."

Baker said Ohio Valley Chemical, based in Martins Ferry, is not the department's usual supplier.

To remedy the problem, Baker said crews opened up hydrants and drained the system, tanks and water plant. Police said the water was deemed safe as of 12:30 p.m.

"You're fine," he assured customers. "You're fine. I'm drinking the water today myself here now."

A small amount of hydrochloric acid heavily diluted in water poses very little or no health risk, officials said. In a low concentration, the risks include nausea, dry mouth and diarrhea.

In a high concentration, the risks of hydrochloric acid are serious and could cause permanent damage. It is a corrosive chemical, which means if it comes in contact with your skin it could cause burns, irritation or rashes and it could burn the eyes. If consumed, it could burn the esophagus.

Dr. John Koren of Belmont Community Hospital said two or three people came to the emergency room with minor complaints possibly related to the incident.

"There's no evidence of any physical damage or respiratory damage or anything like that," Koren said.

He said ER staff answered more questions than they had patients.

"The best thing is to just find out how much exposure they've had, what they've taken in. When they've been calling here, we've been telling them to symptoms, what to look for and to come to the emergency room with any questions," Koren said.

Because officials did not immediately know how much acid was in the water, customers were initially urged to avoid using tap water and classes at Bellaire High School were dismissed at 8:15 a.m.

The incident affected between 2,300 and 2,400 people, officials said.

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