Our River at Risk: Why Should I Be Concerned?

by Shawn Ralston, Program Director

In our last blog we spoke of the three incidents that occurred within the last year that serve as emphatic illustrations of the risks associated with toxic chemicals being transported and stored in the James River watershed.  But if we look back into history to 1976, the James River Association was formed by a group of concerned citizens living along the Lower James who witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of irresponsible disposal of Kepone that shut down fishing on the James River from 1975 to 1988. While the James River has resiliently rebounded from conservation efforts, recent events remind us that there are still significant risks that threaten the health of the river and the drinking supply for many.

The events that occurred in January 2014 in West Virginia are perhaps the most illustrative of how a toxic spill can personally affect us.  The spill was first noticed by residents who began smelling something different in the air.  Meanwhile, West Virginia American Water – the source of drinking water for 300,000 people including the capital city – had not picked up the chemical in their routine screening since it was not one that they routinely tested for. 

Shortly after the odor was reported, drinking water was deemed unsafe and residents were advised not to drink, bathe or cook with the water.  Area businesses and restaurants were forced to close and residents stood in long lines to purchase bottled water over the course of the next 5 days before water was ultimately declared safe to use.  

A year after the incident, many residents still will only allow their families to drink bottled water as the event from last year has diminished their confidence in the water flowing from their kitchen sink.  In order to protect the James River and the citizens who drink from it, the storage of toxic chemicals must be properly managed. Our River is at Risk.      

Stay tuned to learn more about the threats to the James River watershed and the specific goals of the “Our River at Risk” campaign. To take part in the campaign, please join our Action Network.