MOUNT OLIVE, WV (WOAY) – West Virginia’s only maximum security prison says it is facing an ongoing water shortage.
In a statement issued to media just this afternoon, the Division of Corrections says the issue stems from operational issues with the water supply from Public Service Districts.
The Division of Corrections says it is implementing health and safety protocols and is supplying portable water tanks, showers, and bottled water. The Division of Corrections also says it is coordinating with utility providers as they work to fix the issue.
The Mount Olive Facility has faced major problems with utilities over the past few years. The Gauley River Public Service District supplies water to the prison, but the Public Service District purchases water from Kanawha Falls.
Both have experienced significant problems in recent years. Meanwhile, raw sewage has been leaking from a line in Cannelton Hollow for years now.
As Newswatch has previously reported, the ownership of that line has come into question in recent weeks, which is throwing a potential sale of three Fayette County Public Service Districts to West Virginia American Water into question.
Newswatch will continue to track this developing story and will update you as we learn more.
