Press Statement

PRESS ADVISORY: ReImagine Appalachia Hosts Crucial Discussion on McDowell County Water Crisis

By February 7, 2025February 10th, 2025No Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 7, 2025

CONTACT:

John Neurohr, [email protected], 717-364-6452

MCDOWELL COUNTY, WV – Yesterday, ReImagine Appalachia hosted a vital conversation about the ongoing water crisis affecting residents in McDowell County, West Virginia. The discussion featured local religious leaders Rev. Brad Davis and Rev. Caitlin Ware, alongside residents Betty Stepp and Diane Farmer from Anawalt and Leckie, who shared firsthand accounts of the community’s struggles with clean water access.

The From Below Faith Project has been actively responding to this crisis, having distributed over 2,500 cases of water to more than 280 homes in the Anawalt and Gary areas. The discussion highlighted critical infrastructure needs and the urgent necessity for proper funding allocation to address the region’s water system repairs.

Speakers included:

  • Natalia Rudiak, Director of Special Projects, ReImagine Appalachia
  • Rev. Brad Davis, WV United Methodist Church Elder
  • Rev. Caitlin Ware, WV United Methodist Church Provisional Elder 
  • Residents Betty Stepp, Anawalt, WV
  • Resident Diane Farmer,  Leckie, WV

A recording of this important conversation is now available here. 

For more information about the McDowell County water crisis or to support ongoing relief efforts, please visit our petition page here.