SPECIALREPORT
"WATER CRISIS IN WYOMING COUNTY"
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
For several years now, residents in Indian Creek, Brenton, Baileysville, and other parts of Wyoming County have been alarmed by worsening water quality, exploding wells, and increasing cancer and illness rates. Litigation is pending involving three coal companies, as residents press local, state, and federal leaders on their action and, in many cases, their inaction. Meanwhile, residents are paying for independent test results and hauling cases of water to people in need.
PART 1: What residents say it’s like on the ground
PART 2: Contaminated Streams and Rivers
PART 3: The court system weighs in, and responses from federal, state, and local leaders
Wyoming County food pantry begins to run short on supplies
THE CHARACTERS
Irvin Lee
Irvin is a Brenton resident and pastor. He says he can no longer drink the water out of his well and needs to fill it with soap to cover the stench.
The same water issues are plaguing his church.
He was a coal miner for thirty years.
Bobby Keane
Bobby Keane lives along Indian Creek and has been raising concerns for years. He says the water in his house has destroyed multiple appliances in his home.
His health is also deteriorating. He has bladder cancer, and both he and his wife are on the third stage of kidney failure.
Private testing showed elevated levels of arsenic in his drinking water.
Jamie Christian
Jamie Christian first reported water being forced from the ground and flooding his back yard in February of 2023. It contains sulfate reducing bacteria and surrounded electrical appliances.
Dakota Day
Dakota lives along Indian Creek. He says his well exploded in late 2024, leaving him with severe burns on his arm.
Roy New
Roy lives in Brenton and has been a coal miner since 2008. He says black water flows from his taps and has filed several complaints.
He is frustrated by the situation. He says the water stains his children’s clothes when he washes them and causes them to be made fun of at school.
Almost everything in his house is stained.
Richard Altizer
Richard has devoted significant time and resources to the ongoing situation. He pays for independent testing and supplies water to people throughout Wyoming County.
Many residents rely on that water to drink and cook with.
He has gone to great lengths to raise awareness about the situation and get answers.
Jason Mullins
Jason is the president of the Wyoming County Commission. He says the commission is doing everything it can to help people with their water, and has secured grants to improve or install water systems throughout Wyoming County.
He declines to take a position on who is responsible for the current situation.
Theresa West
Theresa is a resident in Indian Creek that is struggling with water quality. She says buying cases of water is a major strain on her budget and relies on donations.
She is questioning why elected officials haven’t stepped in to do anything yet.
Greg Adkins
Greg says he is unable to drink his water or even cook with it. The odor is overpowering, so much so that he tries not to turn it on. When he showers, he feels dirtier than he did before he got in the water.
Ricky Lane
Ricky lives in Miles Branch and personally knows several people who had their wells explode. He wants to see action from state, local, and federal leaders and regulators.
Sen. Jim Justice
Sen. Jim Justice says his son handles Bluestone’s affairs. He told us to the best of his knowledge Bluestone has no involvement in the water contamination.
Gov. Patrick Morrisey
Gov. Patrick Morrisey had initially promised us an in-person interview about the situation. That shifted to a virtual interview, and then a statement that was promised but never sent.
