Governor Joe Manchin says he supports a decision by state DEP Secretary Randy Huffman to have investigators take a closer look at the water quality problem in the Boone County community of Prenter.
The situation was the focus of a New York Times article earlier this week that said state agencies across the nation are falling short enforcing water quality rules.
Some say the state DEP is protecting the coal industry in Prenter where it's alleged coal slurry pumped underground has caused the drinking water problem. Secretary Huffman says he's calling for the investigation to show there's no favoritism.
Governor Manchin says he can't speak for what happened in the past with water quality in West Virginia, but his administration is going to err on the side of caution. "We'll be making sure that anybody, whether it's industry, whether it's mining, whether it's water discharge or intake from a municipality, whatever it is, that we will do everything we can," the governor said.
The state broke ground earlier this summer to bring municipal water to Prenter. "That's been a horrible situation and we're fixing that," Manchin said.
Secretary Huffman said earlier this week he believes West Virginia has become an easy target because many people don't like surface mining.
The governor says his goal has been and continues to be taking steps to provide adequate drinking water and sewer service to all West Virginians. "I'm putting every effort I have," the governor said.
