Availability of household water supplies are a critical issue in many southwestern Virginia communities. The mountainous terrain and dispersed popoluations make it costly to extend water lines to many communities. In many areas, groundwater resources are poor in both quantity and quality. Underground coal mining, which began in southwestern Virginia in the 1880s, has affected groundwater aquifers in some areas.  Despite considerable public expense to extend water lines, many small, rural communities lack access to clean and healthful water even today. Powell River Project research and Extension programs have been addressing these issues since the 1980s.

In 1984, Blake Ross (Department of Biological Systems Engineering) surveyed area residents to determine satisfaction with water supplies available to their homes. Virginia Cooperative Extension publication 460-113 contains the results of this work.

In the late 1980s, Powell River Project co-sponsored research entitled "Groundwater Evaluation in the Coalfields of Southwestern Virginia, "  in cooperation with Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (Division of Mined Land Reclamation - VDMLR) and U.S. Geologic Survey (USGS). Results include a detailed characterization of Virginia coalfield groundwater resources.

Between  1993 and 1995, Powell River Project and Virginia Cooperative Extension co-sponsored a household water quality testing and information program, led by Blake Ross (Department of Biological Systems Engineering). This program provided household water analyses and interpretations for 964 families served by wells, springs, and cisterns in seven counties. Parties submitting samples received results of a water quality analysis, and information on how to remedy any water quality problems found to be present. The most common water quality problems found to be present were iron and manganese, hardness, corrosivity, sodium, and bacteria. As a result of this program, many families took measures to protect and improve water quality in their homes. Results were published through Virginia Cooperative Extension.

In 1996, John Randolph (Department of Urban and Regional Planning) conducted an assessment of coalfield water supply and distribution systems. The results of this study were utilized by a General Assembly Commission studying Virginia coalfield water supply problems, led by Virginia Delegate Clarence Phillips. The Virginia Coalfield Water Development Authority resulted from the action of this Commission.

In 1997 and 1998, additional research was conducted by Virginia Water Resources Research Center, under the leadership of Tamim Younos. With Powell River Project sponsorship, the Water Center prepared recommendations used by the State Water Commission to develop a strategic plan to address Virginia coalfield water resource concerns, as required by House Joint Resolution 572.

In 1998 with Powell River Project funding, the Virginia Water Resource Research Center conducted an assessment of rooftop "rainfall harvest" household water supply systems, more commonly known as cisterns, being used by southwestern Virginia residents. Cisterns are generally not considered to be a high-quality water supplies, and cisterns certainly do not provide the "answer" to the water-supply problems that affect many coalfield homes. However, the reality is that many families depend on cisterns as primary water supplies. This publication provides information that can be used by those families to optimize cistern operations so as to improve water quality.

Publications

Petrie, John E., and P. Diplas. 2000. Statistical approach to sediment sampling accuracy. Water Resources Research 36(2):597-605.

Anderson, Eric. 1999. Determining the Sustainability of Coal Mine Cavity Discharge as a Drinking Water Source . M. S. Thesis, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-041399-144250/

Petrie, John E. The Accuracy of River Bed Sampling. M.S. Thesis, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech.

Petrie, John E., and P. Diplas. 1999. Statistical analysis of river bed samples.  Proceedings, 3rd International Symposium on Ecohydraulics. July 13-16, 1999. Salt Lake City, Utah.

Younos, T., D. W. Reaves, and B. A. Wright.  1999.  The potential for developing mine cavity water for water supplies: Institutional and Water Quality Issues.  Special Report SR12-1999, Virginia Water Resources Research Center, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.  84

Diplas, Panos. V. Lohani, J. Petrie, and D. Stare. 1998. Sediment sampling for environmental monitoring. IN: Proceedings, 1998 Water Resources Engineering Conference, ASCE.

Reaves, Dixie Watt, Tamim Younos, and Kelly Ramsey. 1998. Economic Analysis of Water Hauling for Southwest Virginia Communities. Virginia Water Resources Research Center Special Report No. SR5-1998.

Younos, Tamim, and Judy Poff (eds). 1998. Southwest Virginia Water Symposium - Proceedings. Virginia Water Resources Research Center Publication P1-1998.

Younos, Tamim, R. Bohdin, E. Anderson, K. Ramsey, N. Cook, B. Ross, T. Dillaha. 1998. Evaluation of Rooftop Rainfall Collection-Cistern Storage Systems in Southwest Virginia. Virginia Water Resources Research Center Special Report No. SP3-1998.

Randolph, John, and Vinh Nguyen. 1997. Water Supply in the Virginia Coalfields: Status, Technical Options, Assessing Rate Impacts . Department of Urban Affairs and Planning, and Powell River Project. Virginia Tech.

Younos, Tamim, and Judy Poff (eds.). 1997. Southwest Virginia Water Symposium ‘96 Proceedings. Virginia Water Resources Research Center. Virginia Tech, Blacksburg. 68 pages.

Nguyen, Vinh. 1996. Rural Water Supply in the Virginia Coalfield Counties. M.S. Major Paper. Urban and Regional Planning.

Ross, B., J. Blankenship, J. Rockett, K. Parrott, and B. Wyatt. 1996. Evaluation of Household Water Quality in Buchanan County, Virginia. Virginia Cooperative Extension, Household Water Quality Series. Number 21.

Ross, B., J. Cassell, P. Collier, J. Rockett, K. Parrott, and B. Wyatt. 1996. Evaluation of Household Water Quality in Scott County, Virginia. Virginia Cooperative Extension, Household Water Quality Series. Number 16.

Ross, B., P. Chambers, J. Rockett, K. Parrott, and B. Wyatt. 1996. Evaluation of Household Water Quality in Russell County, Virginia . Virginia Cooperative Extension, Household Water Quality Series. Number 18.

Ross, B., J. Harris, L. Crawford, J. Rockett, K. Parrott, and B. Wyatt. 1996. Evaluation of Household Water Quality in Tazewell County, Virginia. Virginia Cooperative Extension, Household Water Quality Series. Number 19.

Ross, B., R. Harris, S. Herndon, J. Rockett, K. Parrott, and B. Wyatt. 1996. Evaluation of Household Water Quality in Wise County, Virginia. Virginia Cooperative Extension, Household Water Quality Series. Number 17.

Ross, B., H. Jerrell, J. Rockett, K. Parrott, and B. Wyatt. 1996. Evaluation of Household Water Quality in Lee County, Virginia . Virginia Cooperative Extension, Household Water Quality Series. Number 20.

Ross, B., J. Rockett, C. Zipper, K. Parrott, D. Weigmann, and B. Wyatt. 1996. Evaluation of Household Water Quality in Virginia’s Coal-Producing Counties. Virginia Cooperative Extension, Household Water Quality Series. Number 24.

Ross, B., G. Dingus, P. Deel, F. Herndon, J. Rockett, K. Parrott, and B. Wyatt. 1995. Evaluation of Household Water Quality in Dickenson County, Virginia. Virginia Cooperative Extension, Household Water Quality Series. Number 15.

Harlow, G.E. Jr., and G.D. LeCain. 1991. Hydraulic Characteristics of, and Groundwater Flow in, Coal-Bearing Rocks of Southwestern Virginia . U.S. Geological Survey Open File Report 91-250.

Ross, B. B., S. A. Rosenberry, and T. A. Dillaha. 1987. Assessment of individual water supply and waste disposal systems by residents of the Virginia coalfields. Virginia Cooperative Extension publication 460-113.

Ross, B. B., S. A. Rosenberry, and T. A. Dillaha. 1987. Hydrological and environmental conditions in the Virginia coalfields as perceived by water users and agencies. Virginia Cooperative Extension publication 460-114.

Ross, B. B., S. A. Rosenberry, and T. A. Dillaha. 1987. Residents' appraisal of water supply and quality in the coal mining region of Southwest Virginia. Briefing Papers - Forum on Water Resources Research and Investigations, Va. Water Resources Research Center.

Rosenberry, S. A., B. B. Ross and T. A. Dillaha. 1986. Residents' Appraisal of Water Supply and Quality in the Coal Mining Region of Southwest Virginia. VPI&SU, College of Agric. and Life Sci. Info. Series 86-2.

Ross, B. B., S. A. Rosenberry, and T. A. Dillaha. 1986. Local attitudes toward domestic water problems in Southwest Virginia. Va. Agric. Exp. Sta., Agric. Res. Digest No. 17: 12 pp.

Yagow, E. R., B. B. Ross and W. L. Magette. 1984. An Annotated Bibliography of Water Resources Information for Southwest Virginia . VPI & SU, College of Agric. and Life Sci. Info. Series 84-3.

Younos, T.M. 1998. A feasibility study of rainfall harvesting and small surface-catchment system for drinking water supplies case study: Trammel Gap Community, Dickenson County, Virginia. Virginia Water Resources Research Center Special Report No. SR2-1998.