OAK HILL, WV (WOAY) – Tropical Storm Helene hit Wyoming County especially hard in 2024, further exacerbating the existing creek and well crisis, alongside clean water access efforts.
A legal battle over contaminated groundwater leaking into Indian Creek and open mine shafts linked to the former Pinnacle Mining Complex was dismissed earlier this year, after the Department of Environmental Protection revoked the mining permit and took control of the site.
According to Senators Brian Helton (R-Fayette County) and Roland Roberts (R-Raleigh County), they have allocated funding to upgrade the Palmer Water Plant, which will allow H20 to flow in other parts of the county.
Newswatch has been tracking poor drinking water conditions in the county for some time, based on residents’ reports of contamination.
Meanwhile, Helton says a project to extend public water to hard-hit areas of the county has entered preliminary proceedings.
“There’ll be water brought into Brenton/Baileysville. We’re hoping these projects take off. It’s going in the early bidding process right now, and the future Indian Creek is under a survey,” said the senator.
Engineering firms are looking at that project, with Helton saying they will all be funded.
“Somewhere around 400 plus customers that do not have city water or good, reliable public drinking water will now have access,” said the senator, adding they deserve clean drinking water.
And Helton said there’s been great groundwork laid by Jason Mullens, president of the Wyoming County Commission, and the other commissioners.
“Then in Charleston at our regional water board authority — they’ve done a tremendous job,” said the senator. “So it’s really been a total team effort.”
