WAYNE, W.Va. — The water crises in the town of Wayne has drawn the attention of a noted environmental activist.
Erin Brockovich, whose work was made famous in a movie of the same name, posted to social media Wednesday she was aware of the oil spill which contaminated the town’s water system back on January 16.
“Wayne County, West Virginia — I see you.
I want you to know that I am seeing your messages and hearing your concerns. I didn’t want anyone to think they were being ignored. What you’re dealing with is serious, and your voices matter.
I am actively working with water expert Bob Bowcock to help get carbon delivered to your municipal water treatment facility to assist in filtering oil from the water supply. This is an important step, and we are pushing to move it forward as quickly as possible, and to get your water cleaned. West Virginia, we all know this happens frequently, even in your capitol city. Bob really wants to start working more closely with the State of West Virginia to better prepare for these manmade and natural disasters… it’s not rocket sciences.
If you have any information about the incident involving the transformer or details about how this contamination occurred, please send me a private message here on Facebook. Information from the community is often critical in understanding what happened and what needs to happen next.
Please continue to look out for one another. I will continue to stay engaged and do what I can to help.”
Customers of the Town of Wayne’s water system have been forced to use bottled water for almost two weeks after oil from a transformer wound up leaking into Camp Creek. The creek is a source for the Wayne Water Treatment Plant. The transformer was in an Appalachian Power substation on a mining site. Vandals broke into the site and caused the leak according to investigators.
Testing of the water showed the presence of hydrocarbons. Flushing continues along with filtering and other measures to try and remove the hydrocarbons so it can be restored.
Meanwhile, investigators with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department continue to follow up leads to try an locate a suspect. A reward of $2500 is now being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.