Organizing Toward Clean Water Victory in Prenter!

Compiled with information from SSP volunteers, Coal Valley News article and Emily Gillespie, SEAC KY Regional Coordinator

Working with Sludge Safety Project member groups and volunteers, residents of Prenter Road (Rt. 5) in Boone County have been demanding city water for their community. Folks there have been living with unbelievably foul well water. OVEC board member Chuck Nelson is helping to organize in Prenter.

The community has unusually high rates of birth defects, cancers and other ailments. Childrens teeth are dissolving. Nearly every family has had someone in and out of the hospital.

Mountaintop removal operations, coal sludge impoundments and slurry injections abound in the area. Years ago, coal companies were permitted to pump coal waste into old underground mines near Prenters groundwater. They were supposed to stop in 1984, but were caught doing it illegally as recently as 2001! Today, black and grey water flows from taps. The overwhelming stench of rotten eggs (hydrogen sulfide, a corrosive and neurotoxic gas) pervades houses.

County commissioners and other officials have reportedly secured $300,000 to pipe potable water into the community. But the water lines may not arrive for two to three years.

With people sick and dying now, residents have a temporary solution. West Virginia American Water Co. has set up a water station at the Amazing Grace Fellowship Church where residents can fill water containers for a minimal sum.

But, some residents cannot manage that. "We have a large number of folks around here who are shut-ins, disabled, or just dont have a car to get to the church," one resident, who has been vocal in helping to secure water for the Rt. 5 area, told the Coal Valley News. "We knew we had to do something to help them."

That resident and others established the Prenter Water Fund in order to secure a temporary source of water for families who cannot get water at the church.

To group secured a donation from a foundation to help cover start-up costs.. They bought 150 55-gallon barrels and hand pumps. Now, people out to their porches and fill up their jugs from the barrel, which volunteers fill.

"We know that a barrel of water on your back porch isnt the same as being able to turn on the tap and get clean water," the resident said.

"But we hope these barrels will make life a little easier for people who cant buy water from the store or have trouble going to the church with a bunch of jugs to fill up. Hopefully, sooner rather than later, the water line project will begin and this will be unnecessary."

About 150 more barrels are still needed. A total of $25,000 will cover the rest of the funding needed for the temporary water project.

Donate to the Prenter Water Fund. See www.prenterwaterfund.org/donate or send donations to: Prenter Water Fund, P.O. Box 651, Whitesville, WV 25209.