On the Ground: Charleston West Virginia, Drinking Water Crisis

I apologize for the brevity of this posting because my time is consumed with drinking water sampling and analysis, catching up on sleep, and emails. Since arriving in Charleston, WV last week, our team of students and faculty have been in the field talking with affected homeowners, testing their drinking water, and flushing their houses. We are making a positive impact with the help of nonprofits and persons who are looking to help affected homeowners.

 

Our graduate students, Keven Kelley (Environmental Engineering) and Lakia McMillan (Environmental Toxicology) conduct drinking water sampling of an affected homeowner’s drinking water.

• Aljazeera America talked with us about our research findings and why we are in Charleston, WV. This story will run in the coming days.
• CBS Affiliate WOWK interviewed our team on January 20 about what we have found since being on the ground in Charleston, WV: Independent Researchers Conduct In-Home Sampling 
• Charleston Daily Mail posted this story January 20 about our field observations. Seven of 10 houses we visited had not flushed their contaminated plumbing system: Tomblin Won’t Say Tap Water is ‘Absolutely’ Safe 
• The West Virginia Water Crisis Blog posted this story January 19 about our Engineering and Science Team’s efforts while we have been in Charleston, WV: WV Water Crisis Blog 
• The CBS Evening News also interviewed our team January 17 about our actions and what we are finding by talking with affected homeowners: Residents Cautious After All-Clear 

 

Left to Right: Students Keven Kelley (Environmental Engineering), Matt Connell (Environmental Toxicology), and Jeff Gill (Environmental engineering) pack up after completing an investigation at a homeowner’s house. Students and faculty were separated into two squads/teams so that the number of houses tested could be maximized.

If you have a media request please contact ajwhelton@southalabama.edu. DO NOT call my office phone “251″ number. I have my cell phone/email access. I am not posting my cellphone on this public forum. Email me.

Updates will be posted in the future. Check Twitter ( @TheWheltonGroup) and LinkedIN for more up to date activity.

Thank you for visiting my research and education team page. Check back soon. If you have any funding to support this activity please contact me. We need support. We are doing everything for free. All of the expenses are being incurred by myself, faculty and students. We are in need of Angel Funders or coalitions of individuals to keep this effort moving forward.

Sincerely,

Andy