The Water Project: Water Trailers
The Water Project is a mutual aid project of From Below and The West Virginia Annual Conference (WVAC) Disaster Response Team.
In 2024, From Below provided McDowell County Residents thousands of gallons of safe drinking water via privately funded pallets of water bottle cases. Throughout 2024, From Below distributed thousands of gallons of safe drinking water via privately funded pallets of water bottle cases to McDowell County residents. Knowing this was financially and ecologically unsustainable, From Below sought an alternative.
While the water trailer addresses the immediate need for safe drinking water, From Below also holds community meetings with impacted residents and advocates for system change for long-term water infrastructure improvements.
Set up
Trailers are owned by The West Virgnia Annual Conference (The United Methodist Church). The trailers are ordered, insured and licensed with The WVAC Disaster Response Team. They are permitted by the County Health Department and are securely stored at a local volunteer fire deparement (VFD). The trailers are filled by the VFD before delivering 500+ gallons of water to local residents.
By the Numbers
The McDowell Co. Water Trailer holds 500 gallons and cost around $11,000. This water trailer was paid for by a United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) WASH Program grant.
There are around 468 homes in Gary (municipal water), 130 homes in Anawalt (PSD water), and 60 homes in Leckie (well water) that are water impacted. The trailer is filled as Welch Water Dept. for $31 for ~3,000 gallons a month. The trailer is then delivered to Gary VFD weekly and Anawalt VFD biweekly for free community distributions.
Residents are given three 1 gallon reusable jugs to sanitize on site and refill at each distribution. The Gary VFD Chief has volunteered to clean and maintain the trailer as well as transport and have it filled.
The Wyoming Co. Water Trailer was designed for Indian Creek communities. It holds 550 gallons and cost $9,300, paid for by Christ Church United Methodist Church in Wheeling, WV. The trailer is filled at Pineville Water Dept. for $53 for ~3,000 gallons a month.
Reusable gallon jugs, costing around $3 each, were donated by Christ Church United Methodist Church in Charleston, WV. The trailer is filled and emptied during each distribution and properly cleaned and maintained.
Driven by Residents
Local residents determine distribution locations, dates, and times while advocating for long-term solutions. Residents collect water from the trailer via reusable gallon jugs which are santizied on site upon return. Residents chose gallon jugs because they were determined easier to carry than cases of water.
