UPDATE: Water contamination investigated in Gary, W.Va.

originally posted on December 9, 2016

 

GARY, W.Va. (WSAZ) — The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Mining and Reclamation has issued a notice of violation to a company as the result of a sediment pond leaking into a water supply.

Hendrick Gary LLC received the violation notice because the pond may have co-mingled with the drinking water supply for the city of Gary in McDowell County.

The possible contamination has resulted in a “cannot drink” order for customers of the Gary water treatment plant.

Health officials say boiling the water will not purify it.

It can, however, be used for showering, bathing, toilet flushing, and other non-potable purposes.

The DEP has issued an order requiring the coal operator to supply drinking water to the town’s customers within 24 hours.

DEP Spokeswoman Kelley Gillenwater released the following statement: “While DEP inspectors at the mine site have observed no discolored water in the public service district’s system and the water seeping from the pond today was clear, drinking water customers, out of an abundance of caution, were advised by health officials today not to drink the water until testing determines if there is any contamination.”

GARY, W.Va. (WSAZ) — A “cannot drink” water notification has been issued for customers of the city of Gary water treatment plant because of potential health impacts.According to a news release from the Office of Environmental Health Services and the Department of Health and Human Resources, there is a high probability that the water has been contaminated by a “possible but unconfirmed introduction of coal refuse into the city’s raw water well source.”

According to the release, boiling the water will not purify it. It can, however, be used for showering, bathing, toilet-flushing, and other non-potable purposes.

Samples are being collected to determine the extent, if any, of well contamination.

Customers will be alerted when the water is safe to drink. If you feel ill and you suspect it is because of the water, officials encourage you to seek medical attention.

Neighbors are being asked to share this information with one another and to report unusual water conditions such as abnormal odors, colors, or sheen, to the mayor of Gary at (304) 448-2209.

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