Members of From Below are pictured at their table on E-Day 2026. Photographed by Perry Bennett.
By Anna N. Saab
People in the southern coalfields of West Virginia have lived without consistent access to safe water for years. For many, hope was lost decades ago, leaving them with a deep distrust of politicians.
Reverend Brad Davis and Reverend Caitlin Ware of From Below set out to bring clean water to their communities, working hard to garner public attention and support. When CBS 60 Minutes called, they were wary of the prospect of more parachute journalism.
Worried the production would be another national headline about “Trump country”, Davis and Ware made it clear that they wouldn’t allow stereotypes to be the center. This would be a story about the reality of living without safe water in one of the richest countries in the world.
“What I liked most about the piece is that they allowed us to tell the story,” Davis explained, “We had discussions leading up to the filming about just that — so it was good to see that they took that to heart.”
“Folks felt like the segment was a well-done segment. But I think a lot of folks have given up hope that anything will change,” Davis said when asked how the community received the coverage.
“They’ve had major news coverage before, but they’re still in the same situation,” Ware said.
Despite the lost hope of many, the pair said one of their main goals is to renew hope in their communities. Although the West Virginia Legislature didn’t pass any immediate measures to improve infrastructure in the southern coalfields, the broader public has been moved by the story.
Since the coverage last month, they’ve been bombarded with emails and calls from people around the country asking how they can help.
“We’ve had an overwhelming national response,” Davis continued, “I’m still trying to answer all of the emails and phone calls.”
Davis explained it’s been hard for many people outside of the region to comprehend what’s happening. He believes it’s had an impact on legislators, too.
“It moved Senator Maynard to request funding for water infrastructure for next year’s budget,” Davis said, “It doesn’t do anything to help us now, but it shows us that the segment had an impact and moved the needle.”
Ware thinks the public’s support had the most political impact.
“They [lawmakers] didn’t start to talk about it until public opinion started to really scream. The people made it a priority,” Ware explained.
The clean water access issue is multifactorial, including a lack of sewage infrastructure. House Finance Chairman Vernon Criss has continually advocated for $30 million in funding to eliminate straight pipes in West Virginia, a project that would be beneficial to rural parts of the state.
Ware and Davis are hopeful that public opinion will continue to pressure lawmakers and leaders to solve the safe water crisis in their communities. Social media has played a key role in this.
“It’s a win for me that they feel safe sharing pictures and telling their stories,” Ware said, “They’re taking it into their own hands to demand change. I see that more and more as time goes on.”
Keeping those stories in the conversation helps to move the needle. Ware and Davis encourage the public to continue uplifting those stories and contacting leaders in solidarity with their neighbors in the coalfields.
You can learn more about the historic fight for safe water and donate to support their work by visiting their website.
