Thefts threaten recent improvements to Mingo County PSD's drinking water system
- Jul 13
- 2 min read
Recent thefts and vandalism could threaten the progress made by the Mingo County Public Service District since a West Virginia Public Service Commission investigation prompted major improvements to the county's drinking water system.
Robert Fields & AM Stone | WVOW News
NAUGATUCK The PSD says thieves recently stole newly installed solar panels and other telemetry equipment from water tank sites in the Dingess area. The equipment had been installed July 6th as part of a system upgrade designed to improve remote monitoring of tank levels, pump operations, water pressure and other critical functions.
Executive Director Chris Varney recently told WCHS News that the utility had made significant progress following the PSC investigation by reducing outages, shortening repair times, repairing leaks and upgrading aging infrastructure. The commission launched its investigation in 2025 after years of drinking water violations and service problems, later replacing the investigation with a corrective action plan as improvements continued.
The PSD says the stolen telemetry equipment is essential for detecting system problems and responding quickly to emergencies. Without it, operators may not immediately know when tanks are running low, pumps fail or pressure drops, increasing the risk of service interruptions, delayed repairs and additional costs.
Officials also warned that unauthorized use of fire hydrants can create pressure losses, discolored water, possible contamination and damage to the water system, while reducing fire protection capabilities.
The improvements had come as West Virginia continues to struggle with drinking water quality. A Northeastern University report released this year found the Mountain State recorded more drinking water violations than any other state, with Mingo County ranking among those with the highest number of violations in recent years.
Despite the progress, challenges remain. Aging infrastructure, mountainous terrain, shrinking population, chemical contaminants, a water system operating near capacity, and now thefts continue to create maintenance issues.
Some customers have continued reporting discolored water, including brown and red water from household faucets.
Varney said the water remains safe to drink and encouraged customers experiencing problems to contact the PSD directly so crews can respond quickly instead of relying solely on social media reports.
The Mingo County PSD is asking anyone with information about the thefts, vandalism or unauthorized hydrant use to contact local law enforcement or the utility.
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