WYOMING COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – State officials say there are currently no health concerns following a mineral oil release earlier this year in Wyoming County, according to an update from the West Virginia Department of Health.
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) has been conducting routine water sampling in the Guyandotte River watershed since a January spill at an Appalachian Power substation in Clear Fork.
Recent testing detected trace amounts of mineral oil downstream of R.D. Bailey Dam.
Despite the findings, health officials emphasized that the public should continue normal water usage.
The Department of Health stated that the mineral oil involved is highly refined, free of PCBs, and commonly used in electrical equipment. It is not classified as a carcinogen.
As a precaution, the Department of Health has recommended that all public water systems drawing from the Guyandotte River downstream of R.D. Bailey Dam incorporate activated carbon into their treatment processes.
Officials say this measure will remain in place until further laboratory results are available.
The recommendation follows laboratory data from samples collected March 5, which showed trace amounts of mineral oil slightly above detection limits at two locations.
Results were received March 16. A third sample, taken at the furthest downstream site—more than five miles upstream from the nearest public water intake—showed no detectable contamination.
Officials say WVDEP crews continue to oversee cleanup efforts and have not observed any visible oil sheen or recoverable material in the affected waterways.
State health officials say they will continue monitoring the situation and remain in close contact with local water systems as testing continues.
