O’TOOLE, W.Va. (AP) – A West Virginia town that has struggled with foul-smelling, discolored water finally has access to clean water, more than 17 years after a boil water advisory was issued and never lifted.
The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports the McDowell County Public Service District completed its takeover of the O’Toole water system last week. Water previously was piped into O’Toole homes by its water association, which was created by a coal company when the area was a coal camp.
The takeover began last year and its completion means residents no longer have to ration clean water or gather it from mountain springs. Sixty-four-year-old Carol Thompson has lived in O’Toole her whole life. She says using tap water feels unnatural as it’s something she’s never done before, but she’s happy it’s an option now.
Information from: The Charleston Gazette-Mail, http://wvgazettemail.com.
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