Photo byThe Tampa Bay Estuary ProgramonUnsplash

As they drive a truck hauling bottled water along the twists and turns of Route 16, Richard Altizer and James Christian point out the sights along Indian Creek. It’s a picturesque scene reported by Mountain State Spotlight marred by a grim reality—slimy film clings to the foul-smelling water, dead pets and livestock dot the landscape, and the haunting memory of a deer carcass looms large.

“These people are being poisoned,” Altizer states bluntly, echoing the sentiments of a community in distress.

More than a year has passed since a torrent of dirty mine water burst into the yard of James Christian, flooding his home and seeping into the walls. Despite their best efforts to divert the rancid water into Indian Creek, the situation has only worsened, with a lawsuit dragging on as coal companies point fingers at each other in Wyoming County’s circuit court. Meanwhile, residents reliant on well water report black, pungent water flowing from their fixtures, and the local wildlife continues to suffer.

The Human Toll

James Christian points to foam on Indian Creek, a grim contributor to sickness in the community and animal deaths. His and Altizer’s truck isn’t just a delivery vehicle; it’s a lifeline, providing bottled water to neighbors whose wells now produce undrinkable water.

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) attributes the disaster to underground pressure from the flooded Pinnacle Mining Complex. Yet, despite ordering the company to stop the flooding and later diverting water into the creek, the problem persists. Circuit Judge Derek Swope’s order for Pinn MC Wind Down Co. and other companies to seal mine shafts offers a glimmer of hope, but for residents like Christian and Altizer, the daily reality remains grim.

The Corporate Blame Game

Court records reveal a tangled web of lawsuits and countersuits among coal companies, each deflecting responsibility. DEP’s lawsuit against Pinn MC Wind Down Co. led to a countersuit against Bluestone Resources (Governor Jim Justice became the President and CEO of Bluestone Industries, Inc. and Bluestone Coal Corporation in 1993) and further legal battles involving Alpha Metallurgical Resources. The companies’ denial of responsibility has left the community in a state of limbo, with contaminated water now spreading to nearby creeks, affecting about 200 homes.

Community Resilience Amidst Despair

Driving along Indian Creek, Altizer and Christian stop at Pansy Keene’s house. Despite investing in an expensive water filtration system, Keene’s water still runs yellow, and she struggles to keep her clothes rust-free. Down the road, a small chicken farmer, fearing repercussions for her husband’s job, anonymously shares her story of losing a hundred chickens to the toxic water.

Dakota Day’s morning routine involves watching black water flow from his faucet, reminiscent of bathing in lotion. His roosters and creek trout are long gone, and his dogs vanished after drinking the creek water, their mouths bleeding before they disappeared.

The Human Cost

James Christian returns home to his wife, Tina, now mostly bedridden. The sulfur-like odor from the contaminated water permeates their home, contributing to Tina’s health decline—constant nausea, fatigue, and leg sores. Black mold fills their home, and the couple worries for their nine grandkids, unable to afford to move.

“Before a year ago, I was healthy and so was he,” Tina reflects, the toll of the water crisis evident in her frail voice.

The Bigger Picture

The DEP’s efforts, from lawsuits to water sampling, offer little comfort to a community watching their water turn toxic. Fletcher, a DEP spokesperson, asserts the agency’s actions meet state and federal standards but acknowledges the limitations in addressing human health issues and financial losses.

As coal companies continue their legal wrangling, the residents of Wyoming County face an uncertain future, their trust in protective institutions eroded. Altizer’s words resonate deeply: “They’re supposed to protect us. And they didn’t.”

Call to Action

Has your community experienced water quality issues? Send tips, photos, or videos to tips@mountainstatespotlight.org or leave a message at 304-506-8477.