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End in Sight for West Virginia's Water Crisis

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Five days after a toxic chemical spilled into West Virginia's water system, residents may soon be able to use their tap water again.
    
The state's governor says hundreds of tests of the drinking water being done in nine counties, including Charleston, are showing positive signs.

"I believe we are at a point where we can see the light at the end of the tunnel," Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin said.

But people are still being told not to drink or bathe in the water just yet.

The crisis started last Thursday when about 7,500 gallons of a toxic chemical used to process coal leaked into the Elk River, contaminating the water supply in the heart of the state.

"I have three babies -- 5, 6, and 8," one West Virginia mother said. "We're bathing them out of a sink."

Downtown Charleston is a ghost town, with most businesses and schools closed.

Meanwhile, disaster relief teams from CBN's Operation Blessing are on the scene. They deployed a mobile shower unit with fresh water so first responders can clean up.

"Well it's great that the shower trailer was brought in by Operation Blessing," the Montgomery Fire Department's Benny Fillaggi said. "For them to take a hot shower is probably one of those things you could actually say right now is priceless."

A second shower trailer is on the way to Charleston. Operation Blessing is also delivering thousands of bottles of drinking water and meals to families affected by the spill.

"Hopefully within the days to come things will change and the water situation will improve," Operation Blessing USDR Team Leader Clifton Wright said.

To help out, Operation Blessing and their long-time ministry partner, The Union Mission of Charleston, will be a doing a major water distribution outreach for the city's residents.

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About The Author

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George
Thomas

Born in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and of Indian descent, CBN News’ Senior International Correspondent and Co-Anchor, George Thomas, has been traveling the globe for more than 20 years, finding the stories of people, conflicts, and issues that must be told. He has reported from more than 100 countries and has had a front-row seat to numerous global events of our day. George’s stories of faith, struggle, and hope combine the expertise of a seasoned journalist with the inspiration of a deep calling to tell the stories of the people behind the news. “I’ve always liked discovering & exploring new