Recently, Appalachian Power Company’s East Lynn substation was vandalized, causing approximately 4,900 gallons of transformer oil to flow into the Right Fork of Camp Creek, Camp Creek, and Twelvepole Creek in Wayne County, West Virginia. The leak contaminated the Town of Wayne’s water supply, leaving roughly 2,400 households without safe water for over three weeks.

Our office filed a class action lawsuit on February 5, 2026, on behalf of residents of the Town of Wayne and surrounding areas for the harm and suffering caused by this water contamination and disruption of water service.

What Happened

On January 13, 2026, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of vandalism at Appalachian Power’s East Lynn substation, located on a mine property along Camp Creek Road. Fences at the site had been damaged and copper wire stolen. The vandalism caused a transformer to fail, releasing nearly 5,000 gallons of mineral oil into the waterways that feed directly into Twelvepole Creek, the source of the Town of Wayne’s public drinking water.

Residents reported the smell of diesel and petroleum in their tap water as early as January 11, but the official “Do Not Consume” order was not issued by Mayor Danny Grace until January 16. During that gap, families across the Wayne water system may have unknowingly consumed, cooked with, and bathed in contaminated water. 

A subsequent investigation by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection revealed that AEP had not inspected the East Lynn substation since September 2025 and that there had been multiple prior thefts at the property.

The “Do Not Consume” order remained in effect for over three weeks. During that time, residents relied on bottled water distributed at Wayne Town Hall, the East Lynn Fire Department, and other community locations. Schools were closed. Livestock owners were warned not to water their animals from Twelvepole Creek. 

Severe weather in late January damaged containment booms in the creek, further complicating cleanup efforts. Lab testing by the West Virginia Department of Health confirmed the presence of hydrocarbons in the Wayne water system.

The Class Action Lawsuit

The lawsuit, filed in Kanawha County Circuit Court, names American Electric Power (doing business as Appalachian Power) and the Town of Wayne as defendants. The complaint alleges that AEP failed to adequately secure a substation with a documented history of criminal activity and that the Town of Wayne failed to provide timely notification to residents when the water supply was compromised.

Powell & Majestro P.L.L.C. is pursuing this case alongside Calwell Luce diTrapano and Forbes Law Offices. Our firms have a proven track record of representing West Virginia communities in water contamination cases, including serving as class counsel in the 2014 Elk River chemical spill litigation that affected over 300,000 residents. We are seeking compensation for affected Wayne County residents for out-of-pocket expenses, lost wages, health concerns related to petroleum hydrocarbon exposure, the disruption of daily life, and property damage to home plumbing and filtration systems.

What You Can Do Now

If you were affected by the Wayne water crisis, we encourage you to take these steps to protect your potential legal rights:

• Save all receipts for bottled water, meals, laundromat visits, gas, and any other expenses caused by the water disruption
• Document any health issues you or your family experienced during the contamination period
• Photograph any evidence of water discoloration or contamination in your home’s plumbing or filters
• Write down your personal timeline of events, including when you first noticed problems with the water and when you were notified

News Coverage

WSAZ: Investigation Underway After Oil Leak in Wayne County

WCHS: Class Action Lawsuit Filed Over Wayne Water Crisis

Judge appoints interim class counsel in Wayne water case

Contact Us

If you or a loved one has been affected by this water crisis, please contact our law office at (304) 346-2889. Consultations are free, and we are ready to review your situation and explain your legal options.