After 13 Years, Work Finally Underway on Lick Creek Water Project

WILLIAMSON, W.Va. - Residents of Lick Creek and the surrounding areas of Mingo County will have access to public water within a year now that construction has begun on the areas long-awaited water project.

Mingo County grant writer Sheila Erwin said Wednesday that work began on the approximate $4.3 million project (June 27)

The project will serve 245 families and approximately 707 individuals in the Lick Creek, Merrimac, Sprigg and Rawl areas of Mingo County. The residents have been working to get water in their areas for many years, making numerous trips to the state capitol in Charleston, WV, and making their plight known to anyone who might help them. National Geographic magazine even featured the residents and their situation in its March 2006 issue. Vanity Fair magazine also printed a piece that included information about the situation. (Ed. note: As did the July edition of O, Oprah Winfreys magazine.)

This sign, erected by community members years ago, was knocked to the ground in July. It has been replaced by a sign about the water line project replacing it.

Residents allege that an incident involving Massey Energy caused their wells to be contaminated. They have been relying on bottled water to bathe, cook and drink.

(Ed. note: Some residents were getting free bottled water this spring, after our visits to the statehouse. A local politician, up for re-election, delivered a $15,000 check for bottled water during a big community meeting on March 2. Strangely, the last delivery of 10 pallets of water came May 8. The primary election was May 9. No more water arrived after that. We are just saying.)

The residents are currently involved in a civil lawsuit against Massey Energy, seeking damages in connection with the situation (See related story on page 4.)

The project is totally grant-funded and was made possible through the Office of Abandoned Mine Lands, Small Cities Block Grant Program, Appalachian Regional Commission, the Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council and the Mingo County Commission.