BLUEFIELD, W.Va. (WOAY) — On a day when city leaders laid out millions in infrastructure projects to West Virginia Congresswoman Carol Miller, one topic had not made it to her desk: the ongoing water crisis in Wyoming County.
Congresswoman Miller, a member of the Congressional Coal Caucus and the federal representative for Wyoming County, told WOAY she had never heard about Wyoming County’s contaminated water supply until our interview.
“Is this the first time that you’ve been made aware of this?” “Yes.”
She said she would look into it further, but declined to answer whether she supports federal intervention, stating: “I’ll have to look into it and find out exactly what’s happening before I give you an answer on that.”
When NewsWatch asked about the visibly contaminated water in the creeks and rivers, the sulfur smell, and recent finger-pointing, Miller responded:
“I’ll have to do some homework,” Miller said. “Thank you for letting me know.”
Her reaction comes despite months of public reporting, local organizing, and a court case where the contamination has already been declared a public health risk.
Meanwhile, one county over, in Bluefield, city officials walked Miller through an ambitious slate of projects: a $31 million Safe Streets grant, road and sidewalk overhauls near Bluefield State University, stormwater management, and new emergency services infrastructure. City Manager Cecil Marson praised Miller’s presence,
“She’s always done a great job representing us up in Washington. So she’s been here quite a bit. This was just another one of her usual visits to our area.”
For others in her district, it was the first time she had addressed the crisis despite years of official complaints to the WVDEP.
“It’s 2025 in America, but in Wyoming County, West Virginia, you can’t drink or bathe in your water. That’s not okay. That will never be okay,” said Zach Shrewsbury in an earlier interview with WOAY.
“We’re being treated like the worst orphans, and we’re just sick of it. This water is not fit. The dog won’t even drink it,” said Margaret Shields.
Congresswoman Miller promised to review the issue and thanked Newswatch for making her aware.
For residents in Wyoming County and beyond, thanks only does so much, yet their question remains: how many more people and animals have to get sick and die before Washington intervenes?
