KINGWOOD — Despite letters of support from the Kingwood Water Board and the Preston County Commission, James and Carolyn Martin say they still do not have city water.
On July 20, 2020, Martin filed a petition requesting a cost-analysis study be conducted by the City of Kingwood to see if they could extend their water system from where it ends at Long Hollow Road to Vista View, Hunting Camp, Herring and West Herring roads. The petition contained 73 names and was sent to the Public Service Commission of West Virginia.
“Due to the undermining of the entire area, it is not feasible to obtain potable water for use in our homes. Wells that have been drilled have either been dry or produced rancid mine water,” the petition states.
“I’m 1,300 feet from Masontown water but the Public Service said it would cost $25,000 to connect to Masontown,” Martin said. “Masontown (officials) said before they could add new lines, they would have to work with Morgantown.”
Bill Robertson, Kingwood Water Board member, said the current water line extensions (the Herring Road Project) the board is working on is funded through an Abandoned Mine Land Grant and the Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council.
Neither of the projects will include the Martins and their neighbors.
Part B of the project is a water line extension for Bradley Memorial Drive and Big Bend Drive. The base bid for the project was $128,849.50.
Part A of the contract will include All Hollow Road and Concord Road. The base bid for this project was $1,314,496.75. A. J. Burk from Horner was awarded the contract for parts A and B of the project.
When completed, the water line extensions from the two projects will provide water to about 60 new customers. Funds for Project A are being provided through an AML grant. Project B is being funded through AML and the IJDC.
Martin said he was told it would cost $82,000 per household to provide water service to his area, if there was no source of funding available.
“We (the water board) want Potesta (the engineering firm that is working with the board) to research and see if that area (the community the Martins live in) will qualify for AML funding,” Robertson said.
“I’d like to see some of the COVID money they will get awarded go for this project,” he said, referring to the county.
Martin said he tried drilling two wells so he would have a year-round water supply, but they both went into the old Carolyn Mine. “I bought my land in 2005,” he said. “I’ve spent about $12,000 trying to get water.”
He said the area he lives in is growing — four new homes were built down the road from him.
Martin said he believes the area he lives in should be eligible for an AML grant that would provide funding needed to add his and other homes to the Kingwood Water Extension Project.
“A 1970 mine permit is what’s under my property. The state came in and built a draining system,” he said. “They (mines) messed up our well. It was 400-foot deep. We have a spring system that usually keeps us during the summer months, then we have to haul water. We’re retired and are somewhat disabled. We’d like to see Kingwood come in with their line.”
Martin said one of his neighbors is 90 years old. Another neighbor, a widow, was promised water but never got it, he said.
“Don’t get me wrong. I love where I live,” Martin said. “We have turkeys and deer in our front yard and the most beautiful sunsets you’ve ever seen. My granddaughter gets excited to see the deer and turkey or occasionally a skunk or black bear.”
He said he is concerned about the future.
“What would happen to my wife if something happened to me? She’d have a hard time. I put a 300-gallon tank on my truck so me and the neighbor has water. Our other neighbor hauls water for himself and three other people. We take care of each other.”
TWEET @DominionPostWV
