Our so-called leaders in Charleston have failed to protect us from illegal degradation of our drinking water sources. Their campaigns are supported with cash from people running the mines, not the people working in them in the towns downstream.

When something goes wrong, regulators may take action, but this is just a patch on a broken and corrupted system.

Every so often the water company or some other well meaning public entity will put out pamphlets or videos with advice on how to save money and not waste water. They usually include little tips like taking shorter showers or turning off the faucets while brushing your teeth. It's true that these things may reduce your bill by a little bit, but it seems dishonest to ask customers to take these steps, when there is another problem that the average consumer has no control over that's spiking our water bills and wasting water.

Science is always moving, and in many ways it's making our lives better every day. Scientific advancement in the last few decades has made our lives easier and in many cases made our lives longer. However, it looks like the science regulating West Virginia's drinking water is stuck in the past. Rather than trying to keep our rivers, lakes and streams clean, our leaders have shown their loyal to the people polluting that same water. 

Sometimes when people talk about "clean water" or "taking care of our rivers and lakes" they're talking about long term effects, or keeping natural features intact, but in WV, talking about clean water can mean securing access to clean water coming out of the faucets in our homes. 

Morsels of Truth: By Bil Lepp

One of the funniest things my wife ever said was, “Oh, she looks like she’s auditioning to be the Grand Marshall of the Redneck Parade.” My editor is going to immediately object to printing that. He’s going to say it is offensive to the people we are trying to reach. But I am going to argue that the people we are trying to reach know full-well - and are proud of- their redneck heritage. We’re here. We like domestic beer. Get used to it.

Morsels Of Truth: By Bil Lepp

HALFDOLLAR, WV- Rev. Lester Gwinn, a local pastor, was arrested on Monday for polluting the stream that runs behind The Church of True Believers. It would seem that a mass baptism last spring introduced so much sin into the creek that widespread corruption was caused downstream. Rev. Lester Gwinn started the church in 1984 following a medical discharged from the US Army after losing an eye in a freak corn-dog accident.

Morsels Of Truth: By Bil Lepp

Way back in January of 2014 I stepped out of the shower at YMCA. I picked up my water bottle, which I had filled from the water fountain, and took a long drink. Then a guy says to me, “Hey, there’s been some kind of chemical spill. You’re not supposed to drink any tap water or even take showers.”

Photo Credit: David T. Stephenson for CNN

The 2016 WV Floods seem like a distant memory to those of us who were unaffected by the flood, but as the recent headlines have made all too clear, there are still West Virginians in need of help after great losses in the 2016 flood.