Following the spill of a coal mining chemical into West Virginia’s water system in early 2014, West Virginians were plagued with nausea, vomiting and a peculiar smell coming from their faucets. Citing contamination, the state placed a ban on water usage for cooking, drinking and bathing. Area hospitals, however, still had to function — without the ability to access running water. This story chronicles the process through which Thomas Health System hospitals MacGyvered their way through the nearly week-long ban on water use in their area.
