Man with ALS First to Receive New West Virginia Water System

BECKLEY, W.Va. (AP) — Back in 1978, when John Richmond moved to Pluto Road in Raleigh County, he dug a well and ran lines to carry water to his home.

The well provided water for Richmond for years, then for his wife, Rebecca, and their son, Seth.

Several years ago, the well became contaminated with E. Coli, so the family had to dig another well for their drinking, cooking, and bathing needs.

“We were always hopeful that we would get county water, but as long as the wells were sufficient, we were OK,” Rebecca said.

John was diagnosed roughly three years ago with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, a nervous system disease that weakens muscles and impacts physical function.

As his wife would help him bathe, the well water would oftentimes run out in the middle of his shower. The well became so unreliable that the family had to haul a 55-gallon barrel a half mile down the road to Rebecca’s brother’s house, to collect water from his well.

Because of John’s condition, their son Seth was left with the task of replenishing the well, which had to be completed every few days. The water was only used for bathing and cooking. For laundry, Rebecca would drive 20 minutes to a laundromat in Beckley, a time consuming and expensive process.

She also never liked using well water to wash her hair, so for years, she’s been collecting rainwater in a tub, then filling gallon jugs to transfer inside for her hair washing.

But on Dec. 1, just before noon, the family was the first of 188 homes to receive water through the new Bragg-Pluto water system.

“It’s about time,” John said. He was content with his well water, he said, but it did become difficult for their family as the wells went bad.

The project, which cost just more than $6 million, has been in the works for the past five years.

Raleigh County Commission President David Tolliver said, “I know how it is without water, because when I was growing up, a mine came into our community and drained our well.”

Shane Bragg, field superintendent with the Raleigh County Public Service District, said starting Monday morning, he will have crews working five days a week until all 188 homes are connected to their meters and their water lines turned on.

“Water is the source of all things,” Rebecca said. “I appreciate them getting it through.”

Tolliver thanked the other commissioners for their support, as well as the Raleigh County PSD and its board of directors, Jack Keel, Paul Flanagan and Steve Zilinski.

Tolliver said one of his main priorities over his next six years as commissioner has been to provide water to county residents.

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