WVDOH sends water tanker to Thomas to fight drought

THOMAS, W.Va. (WBOY) — In the midst of a drought affecting West Virginia that caused Gov. Jim Justice to declare a State of Emergency, the West Virginia Department of Transportation has sent a water tanker to Thomas to help.

According to a release, Thomas is one of multiple towns suffering due to an ongoing rainfall shortage. The low levels have begun to affect the quality of the water in the area with Thomas residents reporting discolored water for more than a month.

Thomas Mayor Jody Flanagan confirmed in the release that Thomas’ reservoir and dam are at the lowest levels in 60 years and that the low water has resulted in a large amount of iron present in the supply.

Since a boil water advisory was put out in the town on July 3, Thomas residents have been provided bottled water for drinking. However, the approximately 5,000-gallon tanker being sent by the WVDOT is full of non-potable water and only meant to be used for things like washing and flushing toilets.

The water itself was taken from Huntington and has already been delivered to Thomas, the release said.

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