Whether you’re a tourist, a local, or a concerned citizen who believes West Virginians deserve clean water, there is a lot you can do to help

For Tourists

As the coal industry that has sustained our economy for generations dwindles, our state is investing in tourism. Tourism provides 53,000 jobs in our state.

That makes you a main character in our ongoing saga to make sure the people of the coal camps see the benefits of the tourism that runs through their communities.

Our state has money to repair infrastructure, but we need them to invest as much as is needed for long-term solutions and emergency aid is provided until their water is no longer poisoned.

Here are some ways you can help.

  • You can click here donate emergency water provisions for individuals and families in the coal camps who are living without access to clean water. One hundred percent of your tax-deductible donations will go directly to the purchase of water. Fundraiser is managed by the local 501(c)3 nonprofit, Sweet Springs Institute.

  • If you encounter a tap, either in your home (locals), rental (tourists), or elsewhere in southern West Virginia, with discolored, smelly water, or you find a stream or creek that has obvious pollution (dark red colors, foul or chemical smell, frothy, etc.), please take pictures, note your GPS location, and make reports to the following agencies:

    EPA National Response Agency for Safe Water:

    1-800-424-8802

    West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP):

    304-926-0440

    What to expect when you make a report:

    The EPA is federal. This call will be brief. They will ask for the location and if you wish to remain anonymous, then they will give you a report reference number.

    The WVDEP is likely to be extremely rude and will treat you as if you are crazy. They will act like you are wasting their time. They will make you think you’ve called the wrong number, or they will act like they have no idea that the water is horrible.

    It’s not you, it’s them.

    Please post your photos of contaminated water, date of call, and the report numbers on social media and hashtag #WaterForWV.

    To get GPS coordinates:

    Open your phone’s map app, press down on the screen, and GPS coordinates will come up. You are not likely to have cell signal, so you should screenshot the coordinates.

    You can also download the free app, What3Words, a favorite of hikers and people who frequent remote locations (like the mountains of WV).

  • If you are visiting our beautiful trails, hills, and hollers, use your voice and experiences to help bring attention to this critical issue. When you post pictures and stories of your adventures, hikes, trail exploration, and tourism on social media, call attention to the local water crisis. Hashtag #WaterforWV and link to CoalCamps.com.

  • We :are a slow-paced, warm culture (most of the time). We are direct and say what we mean, so you don’t have to guess with us. There are a few things you can do while you’re here that will be much appreciated:

    Please do not add to the pollution by littering. Bring a poke (a bag) with you for any trash you may have while on the trails.

    If you are driving your side-by-side, ATV, or other vehicle on our backroads, please pull over frequently and allow locals to pass. We understand our roads are jarring to even the most seasoned professional stunt drivers, but the people of our rural hollers are often driving several hours per day to get to work, pick up children from school, and get to medical appointments.

    We want you to drive safely and pull over when you can. Our fire departments are all volunteer in civilian vehicles. You could be keeping people from responding to emergencies.

    Don’t buy properties because the real estate is cheap. The real estate is cheap because we live in an area that has experienced over a century of economic hardship. Locals attempting to relocate because of poisoned water and soil are unable to buy properties because developers and tourists are buying low-cost properties to convert to vacation homes and rentals.

  • Call our politicians and let them know that you will not be returning until the people have safe drinking water.

    Below, you will find numbers to call and a suggested script:

    I am a tourist from [your town and state], and I love the majestic mountains of West Virginia; however, I am deeply disturbed that so many residents along the Hatfield and McCoy trails are living without safe drinking water.

    I understand that there are questions about who is responsible for funding repairs. What is clear is that the people and wildlife of the area did not poison their own water. This is a life-threatening emergency that needs to be prioritized. Fix the water now and debate later about where to send the bill.

    I’m going to post on social media with the hashtag #WaterForWV to document this call. I expect that you, too, will post on social media about your commitment to the citizens of WV.

    Governor Jim Justice:
    Office: 304-558-2000
    Governor’s Mansion: 304-558-3588

    Senator Joe Manchin:
    DC: 202-224-3954
    WV: 304-342-5855

    Senator Shelly Moore Capito:
    DC: 202-224-6472
    WV: 304-347-5372

    Click here for a directory of WV state senators.

    Click here for a directory of WV state delegates.

  • If you are visiting our beautiful trails, hills, and hollers and come across dead fish or other dead animals with no obvious cause, call the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and make a report.

    Unlike other states, there is not a path or protocol to report animals dying from environmental causes; however, you can ask that your call be
    documented.


    For Fayette, Raleigh, Mercer, Wyoming, and McDowell counties, call: 304-256-6814-6200
    8:30 AM to 5:00 PM - Monday to Friday

    For Logan, Mingo, Wayne, Lincoln, or Boone counties, call: 304-756-1055

    Then, and this is the most important part, make sure to post about it on social media with the hashtag #WaterForWV. We need documentation.

Buy Some Water

You can click here donate emergency water provisions for individuals and families in the coal camps who are living without access to clean water. One hundred percent of your tax-deductible donations will go directly to the purchase of water. Fundraiser is managed by the local 501(c)3 nonprofit, Sweet Springs Institute.

Raise a Fuss

If you encounter a tap, either in your rental or elsewhere in your travels, with dingy, smelly water, or you find a stream or creek that has obvious pollution (dark red colors, foul or chemical smell, frothy, etc.), please take pictures, note your GPS location, and make reports to the following agencies:

EPA National Response Agency for Safe Water: 1-800-424-8802

West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection: 304-926-0440

What to expect when you make a report:

The EPA is federal. This call will be brief. They will ask for the location and if you wish to remain anonymous, then they will give you a report reference number.

The WVDEP is likely to be extremely rude and will treat you as if you are crazy. They will act like you are wasting their time. They will make you think you’ve called the wrong number, or they will act like they have no idea that the water is horrible. It’s not personal.

Please post your photos of contaminated water, date of call, and the report numbers on social media and hashtag #WaterForWV.

To get GPS coordinates:

Open your phone’s map app, press down on the screen, and GPS coordinates will come up. You are not likely to have cell signal, so you should screenshot the coordinates.

You can also download the free app, What3Words, a favorite of hikers and people who frequent remote locations (like the mountains of WV).

Get on Social Media

If you are visiting our beautiful trails, hills, and hollers, use your voice and experiences to help bring attention to this critical issue. When you post pictures and stories of your adventures, hikes, trail exploration, and tourism on social media, call attention to the local water crisis. Hashtag #WaterforWV and link to CoalCamps.com.

Be a Good Neighbor, Steward, & Visitor

There are several ways you can be a good steward of our lands and guest in our hills when you visit our beautiful state:

  1. Please do not add to the pollution by littering. Bring a poke (a bag) with you for any trash you may generate.

  2. If you are driving your side-by-side, ATV, or other vehicle on our backroads, please pull over frequently and allow locals to pass. We understand our roads are jarring to even the most seasoned drivers, but the people of our rural hollers are often driving several hours per day to get to work, pick up children from school, and get to medical appointments.

  3. Don’t buy properties because the real estate is cheap. The real estate is cheap because we live in an area that has experienced over a century of economic hardship. Locals attempting to relocate because of poisoned water and soil are unable to buy properties because developers and tourists are buying low-cost properties to convert to vacation homes and rentals.

Ask to speak to the manager

Call our politicians and let them know that you will not be returning until the people have safe drinking water. Below, you will find numbers to call and a suggested script:

I am a tourist from [your town and state], and I love the majestic mountains of West Virginia; however, I am deeply disturbed that so many residents along the Hatfield and McCoy trails are living without safe drinking water.

I understand that there are questions about who is responsible for funding repairs. What is clear is that the people and wildlife of the area did not poison their own water. This is a life-threatening emergency that needs to be prioritized. Fix the water now and debate later about where to send the bill.

I’m going to post on social media with the hashtag #WaterForWV to document this call. I expect that you, too, will post on social media about your commitment to the citizens of WV.

Governor Jim Justice:

Office: 304-558-2000
Governor’s Mansion: 304-558-3588

Senator Joe Manchin:

DC: 202-224-3954
WV: 304-342-5855

Senator Shelly Moore Capito:

DC: 202-224-6472
WV: 304-347-5372

Click here for a directory of WV state senators.

Click here for a directory of WV state delegates.