SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 40

(By Senators Stollings, Kirkendoll, Plymale, Unger, D. Hall, Jenkins and Kessler (Mr. President))

Recognizing the Lincoln Public Service District for its action in providing clean, safe, usable water to the citizens of their district.

    Whereas, The Lincoln Public Service District serves approximately two thousand one hundred customers, primarily in the eastern section of Lincoln County with some additional customers in the Alum Creek portion of Kanawha County; and

    Whereas, Of the two thousand one hundred customers the Lincoln Public Service District serves, about seven hundred customers are provided with water from West Virginia American Water; and

    Whereas, On January 9, 2014, West Virginia American Water announced to its customers an order to “do not use” their water due to a chemical spill that had contaminated the water supply; and

    Whereas, Upon issuance of this order, the Lincoln Public Service District announced that any individual or group could come to its Coal River, Alum Creek, plant with containers and fill those containers with clean, safe, usable water; and

    Whereas, At the same time they were providing clean, safe, usable water to the citizens who were affected by the water contamination, citizens both inside and outside of its district, the staff and management of the Lincoln Public Service District began devising a plan that could switch the flow of water to the seven hundred customers from West Virginia American Water to the Coal River, Alum Creek, plant; and

    Whereas, Over the course of the next two days, the staff and management of the Lincoln Public Service District worked in conjunction with both the Lincoln and Kanawha County commissions as well as emergency service providers in both counties to develop a plan for the switch; and

    Whereas, On January 12, 2014, just three days after West Virginia American Water issued the “do not use” order, with the Lincoln Public Service District leading the charge, the plan was executed, and clean, safe, usable water was provided to the seven hundred customers living in the contaminated area; and

    Whereas, Because of the swift action of the staff and management of the Lincoln Public Service District, those seven hundred citizens of West Virginia continue to have clean, safe, usable water to this day; and

    Whereas, The staff and management of the Lincoln Public Service District are a shining example to the people of West Virginia and the United States of America of what can be accomplished with hard work, a strong will and a commitment to the safety and welfare of West Virginia’s citizens; and

    Whereas, The staff and management of the Lincoln Public Service District embody the true soul and spirit of what it means to be a West Virginian; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Senate:

    That the Senate hereby recognizes the Lincoln Public Service District for its action in providing clean, safe, usable water to the citizens of its district; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the staff and management of the Lincoln Public Service District.