End in Sight for West Virginia's Water Crisis

Five days after a toxic chemical spilled into West Virginia's water system, residents may soon be able to use their tap water again.
    
The state's governor says hundreds of tests of the drinking water being done in nine counties, including Charleston, are showing positive signs.

"I believe we are at a point where we can see the light at the end of the tunnel," Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin said.

But people are still being told not to drink or bathe in the water just yet.

The crisis started last Thursday when about 7,500 gallons of a toxic chemical used to process coal leaked into the Elk River, contaminating the water supply in the heart of the state.

"I have three babies -- 5, 6, and 8," one West Virginia mother said. "We're bathing them out of a sink."

Downtown Charleston is a ghost town, with most businesses and schools closed.

Meanwhile, disaster relief teams from CBN's Operation Blessing are on the scene. They deployed a mobile shower unit with fresh water so first responders can clean up.

"Well it's great that the shower trailer was brought in by Operation Blessing," the Montgomery Fire Department's Benny Fillaggi said. "For them to take a hot shower is probably one of those things you could actually say right now is priceless."

A second shower trailer is on the way to Charleston. Operation Blessing is also delivering thousands of bottles of drinking water and meals to families affected by the spill.

"Hopefully within the days to come things will change and the water situation will improve," Operation Blessing USDR Team Leader Clifton Wright said.

To help out, Operation Blessing and their long-time ministry partner, The Union Mission of Charleston, will be a doing a major water distribution outreach for the city's residents.