Renewed Water Monitoring efforts on the South Branch

 After last week's very impressive WVU Water and Woods workshop in Weston, WV (over 200 government agency staff, nonprofits, and landowners), we're working to elevate water monitoring efforts on the South Branch of the Potomac.

With the help of river rats, property owners, the Potomac Riverkeeper Network, and others reporting fish kills, livestock in the river, unusual turbidity or off-colored plumes below problem sites, and then big improvements in waste management in campgrounds and RV parks, trailer parks, chicken farms, and water treatment plants, we'll hopefully see better results than we have in the previous 23 years.

If you see stream pollution in Hampshire, Hardy, Grant, and Pendleton counties

 If you see pollution in Hampshire, Hardy, Grant, and Pendleton counties, here are contacts:

Immediate Threats & Emergencies

If you observe an active spill, chemical dump, or an environmental emergency that poses an immediate threat to human health or wildlife, contact the emergency response lines directly: 

• WVDEP Emergency Spill Line: 1-800-642-3074 (Monitored 24/7 by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection).

• National Response Center (NRC): 1-800-424-8802 (The primary federal point of contact for oil and chemical spills). 

Non-Emergencies & General Pollution Complaints

For ongoing or suspected environmental violations (such as muddy runoff from a construction site, suspicious pipes, or unusual water discoloration), you can file a complaint with the state regulatory authority or the federal EPA:  

• WVDEP Environmental Enforcement: File a report online via the WVDEP Electronic Complaint Form. You can choose to remain anonymous.

• US EPA: Report potential environmental law violations using the EPA ECHO Referral Form.  

Local Watershed and Health Authorities

Because these counties fall within major river basins, local advocacy and public health units can also track or act on pollution complaints:

• Potomac Riverkeeper Network: If the pollution impacts the Potomac River watershed (which covers Hampshire, Hardy, and Grant counties), you can submit photos and details directly to the Potomac Riverkeeper Pollution Hotline.  

• Local District Health Offices: For pollution affecting public drinking water supplies, you can contact the local West Virginia Office of Environmental Health Services (OEHS) district teams:

• Kearneysville District Office (Covers Hampshire, Hardy, and Grant counties): 304-725-9453.

• Fairmont District Office (Covers Randolph County): 304-368-2530.