A Study of Water Quality in Appalachia

why it's important:

On a global scale, water scarcity is quickly emerging as one of the most dire concerns in the face of climate change and a quickly-growing world population. Many countries are already having difficulty obtaining sufficient water supplies and, by 2025, 56 countries are expected to be experiencing water stress or water scarcity (Shiva 2002). While issues of water quality are often dismissed as being limited to devloping countries, our commitment draws attention to the presence of such issues in our own nation. Furthermore, clean and drinkable water is key to the immediate well-being of a community, and also long-term health of its ecosystem and of future generations.

Our commitment represents a study that has been largely unexplored by the scientific community. This is partly due to the complex political forces dominating Appalachian life. The coal industry plays a dual role in the region as both its economic stimulus, but also a contributor to its medical and environmental issues (Nyden 1979). This inherent contradiction is likely one of the main reasons that there is, in fact, so little data on coal mining's effect on the region's drinking water; such studies have been suppressed both by the coal industry and by communities themselves (Hendryx, 2008). As students, we are able to play a unique role by focusing only on data collection without openly affiliating with any political entities. Additionally, while the Sludge Saftey Project lacks the means to test for organic contaminants, we as students at a university have access to grants and otherwise obscure resources.

the plan of action:

Having made connections with Vernon Haltom and Matthew Louis-Rosenberg of Coal River Mountain Watch, an environmental organization based in West Virginia, we intend to collect our data in a community in rural West Virginia. Our approach will be to take water samples from test sites in a West Virginia community and have these samples analyzed for various contaminants. Specifically, our data collection will take place in a town identified by Coal River Mountain Watch as part of their Sludge Safety Project, which represents the collaboration of Coal River Mountain Watch, the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, and concerned citizens from counties throughout Appalachia.
The Sludge Safety Project will begin an initiative this summer to survey new counties in West Virginia and identify zones potentially vulnerable to water contamination. Upon completion of their survey, we will meet with them to discuss which community they would like for us to test water in. The expected timeline of their work provides an opportune match for us. While neither I nor my partner is able to work during the beginning of the summer, we will be available in August, at which point they will have a better idea of which community should be focused our focus. We will then collaborate with them to determine which type of testing would be most appropriate for the locations. We will likely test for organic contaminants, which are particularly hazardous, such as carbon tetrachloride, chlorobenzene, ethylbenzene, and toluene (EPA List of Contaminants 2010). The samples will be sent to independent labs for analysis, due to the difficulty and expense of using the equpiment needed to test for organic contaminants. Furthermore, lab analyses will help to avoid inaccuracy and any potential accusations of bias in the results.

how you can get involved:

Educating ourselves on the many challanges facing the Appalachian region, especially those posed specifically by coal mining, is the first step to adequately addressing it. For more active volunteer effort, or additional information,contacting the Coal River Mountain Watch, or the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition would also be greatly appreciated by all involved with this issue.