What’s Stirring the Waters in Kenova?

by Pablo Ros  |  September 20, 2012

Water quality in Kenova, W. Va., is ranked 11 out of 140 in the state. But judging by how fast the City Council is moving to privatize sanitation and water services, you’d think it was full of impurities.

The rumors started about a month ago but are quickly becoming a reality, said Kris Mallory, executive director of AFSCME Council 77. In fact Kenova council members already have the international company Veolia in mind to take over the city’s water services and Waste Management to manage sanitation work.

There have been meetings behind closed doors as well as public hearings where citizens have supported city workers. Mallory recently met with sanitation and water services employees who belong to AFSCME Local 598. At the meeting, they discussed the drawbacks and risks of privatization and remained united to stand against any such efforts.

“There is a lot of uncertainty right now,” Mallory said.

One unanswered question is: Why the heck would they privatize? The purity of the city’s water has increased dramatically in recent years. Approximately five years ago, Mallory said, it was ranked 111 out of 140. Today, it’s in the top 20 and is 100 percent compliant with federal, state and local standards.

AFSCME stands with its brothers and sisters of Local 598 in urging elected officials in Kenova to stop this privatization scheme.