NEWBURG — A proposal to provide a permanent water source for four families whose wells were compromised by mine seepage falls short of what the families want.
Newburg officials are not happy with it, either.
The proposal by Lexington Coal Co. is to extend a water line to the families.
But, the proposal is unclear, according to the town of Newburg.
The problem goes back a few years. Water from Lexington’s closed deep mine seeped into the yards and wells on four properties in 2019. Those wells, which provided drinking water for those families, were contaminated.
After receiving complaints, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) investigated and ordered Lexington Coal Co. to provide an emergency drinking water supply within 24 hours, provide a temporary water supply within 72 hours and within 30 days begin activities to establish a permanent water supply or submit a proposal outlining the measures and timetables to be used in establishing a permanent supply, according to DEP Complaint Investigation Reports.
In an email, Terry A. Fletcher, acting communications director for the DEP, confirmed that Lexington submitted a proposal to the DEP and to Newburg to extend a water line to the four residents whose wells were compromised.
Sheila Williams, attorney for the town of Newburg, said she sent the proposal back because parts of it are unclear.
“I spoke with Lexington’s attorney and it sounded like Newburg was selling water to Lexington,” Williams said.
She said she also wants a provision added that will allow a representative of the town to observe the construction and make sure everything is up to specifications. Williams said all Lexington has paid for is 2,000 feet of line. She said the company is also putting in water taps.
“I don’t know if the lines will even go to the houses,” she said, referring to the homes of the families whose wells were ruined.
Williams said Lexington is not going to pay the water bills for the families. She said as new customers they will have to sign an agreement to pay for town water for three years.
Newburg Mayor Edgar Fortney said the town will not accept the proposal until changes are made.
He said the town is not paying for the hook ups or the water bills for the residents. Fortney said those bills will either have to be paid by Lexington or by the homeowners
Bruce Wilt, one of the residents whose well was compromised, said he was unaware there was a proposal to provide a permanent water source.
“The DEP came out last week and took another water sample, but they didn’t say anything about a proposal,” Wilt said. “They (Lexington) are still having water delivered to us once a week.”
In an effort to receive help, Brenda Simons, whose well was also compromised, contacted Sens. Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito.
“The mining company by the name of Lexington Coal messed our water up some years ago. I got ahold of the West Virginia DEP.
They (Lexington) have placed water tanks for all of my family members on our road. That was in 2019,” Simons said.
“We’ve been waiting for a permanent water installation from the mining company, via our city water system.”
Simons said homeowners don’t want to pay for water from the town.
“We would like free water from our town for life. We can’t drink the water that is delivered; it has sulfur in it. We have been buying (water) to drink and to cook with. The water they deliver from Pennsylvania only helps with not staining the toilets and shower, our clothes and doesn’t mess our washer up,” she said.
Simons said she, too, was unaware of the proposal.
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