Associated Press Published

Tomblin Taps Members for West Virginia Water Commission

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  Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has appointed four members to a panel dedicated to reviewing a new law to protect drinking water supplies.

Appointees include engineer Rick Roberts, hydrologist Ed Watson, public health expert Dr. Mike McCawley and citizen representative Pam Nixon.

Top officials from state environmental and health agencies, Public Service Commission and Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will be on the commission.

Nonvoting members include Kanawha County Health Officer Dr. Rahul Gupta and Kanawha County Delegate Nancy Guthridge.

The West Virginia Municipal League and West Virginia Rural Water Association will appoint one member each.

The 12-member panel will submit reports to a joint legislative committee by Dec. 15 annually, starting this year.

The law responds to a January chemical spill that tainted 300,000 people’s water for days.