December 17, 2008
Water "too toxic to touch" in Boone County town
Prenter residents import water, say groundwater contaminated
PRENTER, W.Va. -- Residents of a northern Boone County community say their well water is "too toxic to touch," so they're trying to raise $15,000 to deliver barrels of clean water to about 300 homes.
The contaminated water in Prenter Hollow has caused widespread health problems, including high rates of gallbladder and kidney disease, community organizers said. Children also suffer from unexplained urinary tract infections and tooth decay.
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Reality set in at this point. The sheriff, on his deathbed, admitted to taking money from the oil company (among other things). Sad to see the same thing are still happening today.
We look for fixes (buy a filter, have public water piped in) but do not address the root problem. If a company can not execute business ethically and within public safety, then they need to fix their problems.
Independent studies have found "coal dust was present in all seven samples collected" at Marsh Fork Elementary, indicating the presence of coal dust throughout the school. The 385 ft sludge dam above the school which seeps carcinogenic chemicals contains toxic heavy metals that are present in coal, such as arsenic, mercury, chromium, cadmium, boron, selenium, and nickel. The dam is similar in construction to the one that burst at Buffalo Creek. The EPA made the coal company move two 1000 gallon containers of ammonia because the were dangerously close to the school.
But the parents of those kids up Marsh Fork ought to just shut up, right, sadsam?
The Mission Statement of Coal River Mountain Watch is clear: "The mission of Coal River Mountain Watch is to stop the destruction of our communities and environment by mountaintop removal mining, to improve the quality of life in our area and to help rebuild sustainable communities."
If you can find "end all mining in WV," in that Mission Statement, chief.haze, you're obviously using your DEP Secret Decoder Ring, the one that can find missing words, but can't spot the hooey in a Mountain Removal permit application.
His friend, who has recently moved back to the mountains, takes a mason jar full of the contaminated water to the company president and forces him to drink it.
Would it be possible for all the naysayers on this article to go to the Prenter area and partake of a water drinking party?
Just a thought.
Hey Dog, suggesting filters is a big help. They've never heard of those out in the boonies. Have you ever heard of a muzzle?
Engr: Why would a resident of Prenter want to discuss water toxicity levels on a forum such as this? If you're so all fired willing to help, then why don't you call the WV DEP and ask them? There's usually a stooge or two there beating up West Virginians online for being concerned about their water quality who will take the time to lie and abuse you directly over the phone.
Just ask for chief.haze. But be sure to call during regular business hours.
I don't know of any wells in Prenter hollow (it is 10 miles long) that have good water.
Again I have to educate you when you have a computer and could lookup these things if you don't believe us.
Gallbladder's aren't going bad from poor diets. Read this and it has a link so you know I didn't make it up.
http://www.voiceoftheenvironment.org/heavymetal/pamela_levin/Heavy
General Symptoms: Symptoms of heavy metal toxicity vary widely because these metals can enter every type of cell in the body: the brain, lungs, lymph, thyroid, heart, liver, pancreas, gall bladder (contributing to formation of gall or kidney stones), kidney, small and large intestine, joints, muscles, nerves and reproductive organs. Heavy metals overload the immune system, making it more susceptible to a range of invaders, including viruses and parasites. Toxic metals are reported to be one of the factors consistently present in people with cancer.
We certainly have many of the above including cancers.
Ya know this shouldn't be an argument because no matter who we are or what walk of life we come from, we deserve clean water. I'm sure this article is about community, not alienation.
you bring up a great point! Why are the DEP workers complaining online about us trying to get clean water (which is our human right)? Are they doing it on the DEP computer and while we the taxpayers are paying them to protect our communities. This is just one problem with the DEP among many!
Just in case you don't realize it, your working at the WV Department of Energy Protections does NOT inspire confidence, especially when disparaging folks trying to better their own community by developing alternative energy sources and avoid problems like Prenter's. Thanks to your LACK of environmental protection!
Tell us, chief, are you currently working under private contract? Because I know a colleague of yours who is on full time there. In fact here's a link to a short movie of him at your last Christmas party. Perhaps you recognize him. http://tinyurl.com/4llnvr
The reason I posted "is on full time there" and not "WORKS" there is because chief.haze, he loves to snipe at fellow West Virginians from his WV DEP computer during normal business hours INSTEAD OF PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT. JUST LIKE YOU.
BTW, your initials wouldn't be DTO would they?
I don't know what grudge you think CRMW has against Massey but we just don't like our water and communities destroyed. If you call that a grudge, well you are entitled to your opinion.
As to this comment: The DEP does everything they can to see that the mines abide by the set laws.
Just like you quickly responded to the diesel truck that spilled last winter and the two men laid their all night because NO one wanted to come out? Your hotline was cold line and a nightmare for those men.
Or just like the EPA collecting all the money on water violations that the DEP let go or ignored? If the DEP had enforced those water violations WV could have had all that $$.
So you can call me and CRMW a troublemaker but I want justice and that's what the lawsuits are about. If you really think you're doing your job and all you can then it's time to quit.
Thanks for your support but that doesn't get us clean water. Merry Christmas and may God guide you to do the right thing!
Once polluters kill the aquifer, there's no reviving it. So-called "Tree-huggers" have been warning against this for years, trying hard to prevent it. WV-Citizen's Action Group is probably the main one here. Once pollution hits YOUR aquifer, YOUR community's local water source is gone forever. Also be aware that over time, pollution can spread underground for miles, so anyone with a well outside of Prenter should closely monitor their water.
Smarbap LOVES WV's mountain wilderness, posting "In fact, they contain that which provides 50% of our electricity. But just think of all the possibilities of having more flat land in WV: Development, space to construct larger airports, playplaces for ATVs, source of inexpensive, natural rocks for landscapers, etc. Could even market the landscaping rocks as "Genuine WV Mountaintop"--accept no substitutes!"
MERCENARY!
@Prentergirl. I do know about CRMW and other activist groups. I actually work at the DEP and know plenty about them. It's good that they fight for the people in the area to live better lives. However, when it comes down to it, they fight Massey because of an old grudge, and they do love stirring up trouble.
I love WV and the beautiful scenery, but WV depends on coal mining. If these groups had their way, and all the mines in WV were shut down, this state would be a slum, plain and simple. The DEP does everything they can to see that the mines abide by the set laws, and they don't need groups of people like CRMW and their lawyers telling them how to do their job.
As for your water, I do hate that you all have to live with that and I support you in your fight for your basic needs. God bless you all and happy holidays.
We can't even get our medicine or treatment if the coal company's insurance says we can't. We have to jump through hoops just to get what meds we need. Why does a bean counter in an office without a medical degree get to say what treatments and meds I can have? My husband is a retired coalminer and we still have to jump! The coal company blames it on the insurance company and insurance says it's the coal company. But who pays who? The insurance company is paid by the coal company. I suggest that all working coalminers think about how you and your families are treated by your insurance company that is paid by your employer! I know you all know I'm telling the truth!
By the way, please tell me. Why do you hate West Virginia so much?
Thank you again for referencing my previous comments. Glad you liked them enough to provide a link! You are, by the way, absolutely right: Those who vote for the Democrat candidates are, by and large, the same folks who rely upon government for their livelihoods. And, yes, Obama is indeed a Marxist.
Thanks to George Bush, Prenter's problem will likely become far more commonplace In WV. http://tinyurl.com/4zjhen
Of Boone County residents, smarbap once commented (from somewhere outside WV), "Only a county so devoid of individual economic success would support a Marxist like Obama. After all the talk about racial bigotry, etc., the folks of Boone County remain, first and foremost, dependent upon government assistance. Hence, they voted for the Democrat"http://tinyurl.com/4zjhen
1) At will (no reason other than “here” is a good place to do business).
2) Sellers (the people that buy our goods and services are “here”).
3) Extractors (the resources we need are “here”).
But when we get to economics 666 we see that there are now six classes. The three above that execute with ethics and integrity and:
4) At will we will do anything to make money.
5) Sell anything anyhow.
6) Extract the very life along with the resources.
The worst part is; we as investors support those businesses represented in the economics 666 arena. They make (or steal) more money and our greed factor kicks in. Now a days we do not even utilize the profits for good (sorry now-a-days we lost it all, no profits). I am sure GOD will say well done, the gifts I have given you went to hurt others and were lost to evil. We need to pray out side the box (we do not have the ability to think outside the box).
THE FEARLESS WALK
Psalm 23:4 - Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil!
Asking the coal companies to pay taxes AND bear the expense of fixing every ailment in the community is a good way to get them pull out of your area--and take their jobs with them.
No one is asking the coal companies to bear any expense they didn't cause. They can pull out at any time but they can't take the jobs with them cause we own the court! Get it?
And JDude,
What are the contaminants in the water? Surely it's been tested.
You'll be finding out what's in that water very soon. Stay tuned. It will shock your socks off!
Gee I hope there are some doctors on here reading this since they seem to think we're all nuts and nothing is wrong with our water.
Well, I won't look a gift horse in the mouth. Let's just hope that we have seen the last of the imperial White House practices that have plagued us for the whole of the 21st century.
It's good that at least with governments, with all of its faults, we can "vote the bums out," something we cannot do with the oligarchal class of private industry.
Chevrolet coupé! (a little French to help brighten up your day).
Your question:
Isn't it good that laizze faire business practices that inflict harm with no accountability will be a thing of the past?
My answer:
Absolutely! After all, why should we allow any private business entity to encroach upon the "inflict harm with no accountability" monopoly of our federal government?
I just had my gallbladder removed last week. My husband worked underground for 28+ yrs and got totally screwed by workers comp. What a joke Brickstreet is and everyone in the state should be angry about what they're doing. Having parties that WE All are paying for as taxpayers. That's how they can brag about all the money they saved because they don't pay injured workers. I don't think that or bad water is funny.
So you can call me names like the lackey's for the coal industry does. But just remember I lived in Prenter for 30 yrs. I've only been employed by CRMW for 6 yrs. You figure it out! Educate yourself and maybe in your spare time you can help educate the medical field about these toxins they seem to know nothing about.
Demand oversight from your elected county officials.
Demand accountability from the local coal operators.
Demand intervention from MSHA.
Demand your elected officals, Manchin and Capito involve themselves in your dilemma.
You deserve the help from your government!
In a county with very little industry, I wouldn't be so gun-&& on bankrupting the only game you have in town--coal mining. That's kind of like biting the hand that feeds you. Having said that--Boone County should reap the benefits of being the state's top coal producer--or one of the top, anyway. Governments tax businesses in order to support and maintain the infrastructure of the community. If the coal companies are paying those taxes--why isn't the money going to Boone County's infrastructure?? Asking the coal companies to pay taxes AND bear the expense of fixing every ailment in the community is a good way to get them pull out of your area--and take their jobs with them. Of course, if the coal companies are breaking laws, that's another matter.
Clean water is basic right that you folks deserve--go to Madison & demand to know where the money is going!
This is not a very informative article.
As a Mining Engineer this statement makes no sense to me. I don't grasp what is trying to be said and apparently is an opinion based on no facts. They believe, I heard and they said is no more than gossip.
Geewhiz. Just when I started weeping for the poor International Coal Group for their moving editorial about being slighted by the Gazette over George Bush's move to revoke key parts of another water quality protection from blasting and landfills!
http://www.wvgazette.com/Opinion/Op-EdCommentaries/200812150514
If they claim that the health problems are related to the coal industry, all the "friends of coal" zombies will be on them like white on rice.
and Sir Manchin...his cronies with workers comp (brickstreet) have been too buisy covering up the fact that tipple workers are getting sick from the chemicals used to treat the coal. Marian Ray, former attorney for Workers comp was so good at preventing evidence of disease caused by long term exposure to tipple chemicals, that Bowles Rice McDavid Graff and Love gave him a partnership in the company.
So long as industry owns the politicians,the state supreme court the attorney general, the local doctors, and the insurance industry, disease in west virginia will continue to increase.
What a country!
Merry Christmas!!!