WAYNE, W.Va. –Residents of Wayne had the opportunity to ask questions of city officials, the state Department of Environmental Protection, and American Electric Company representatives during Monday evening’s city council meeting about contamination in their water system.
On January 13, a transformer at American Electric Power’s East Lynn substation was vandalized, causing oil to leak into a nearby creek that feeds the town’s water system. The incident prompted a “Do Not Consume” order for residents. According to several residents, most were not notified of the spill until January 16.
While the order was in place, town officials continued testing the water for contaminants. Last Thursday, the order was modified to a “Do Not Drink” advisory, meaning residents could use the water for bathing, laundry, and washing dishes. On Friday, Mayor Danny Grace lifted the order entirely
However, residents remain hesitant to drink or cook with the water, as some report lingering odors and discoloration.
One resident, Lisa Stephenson, said people attended the meeting seeking answers about how the situation was handled because they are scared.
“Every person in this building and in this community are scared to death. I’ve got kids, I’ve got seven grandbabies that for three days, my grandbabies took baths in that water, and drank in that water that’s hard,” Stephenson said.
She also said she is frustrated because, once the order was lifted, the town cleaned up and removed the showers and laundry facilities, leaving residents without the option to use them.
“We’re being forced to use this water, when we don’t trust you guys,” Stephenson said. “And you all did that, we didn’t do this, you guys did, every one of you guys did.”
Many of the questions from residents focused on when the oil leak was first discovered and who notified Mayor Danny Grace.
Grace said he was the one who notified the appropriate parties about the leak.
“I was the one who notified Wayne County Emergency Management and BJ Willis contacted the DEP, and that was on the 13th,” Grace said.
Several residents also asked why he didn’t notify customers immediately. Grace said that on January 13, he had no information indicating the leak would pose harm to residents.
Another resident, Daniel Robertson, said that no matter how many times officials tell him the water is safe, he doesn’t trust it.
“I don’t feel safe, no matter how much you tell us we tested it, I do tests on water all the time, the point is you don’t go to a water plant and see a transformer being pumped into the water plant, it’s a foreign object it shouldn’t be there,” he said.