Grantee's Reporting on Unsafe Drinking Water Wins West Virginia Journalism Prize

A Pulitzer Center-supported project on public health threats to West Virginia’s drinking water won an award from the West Virginia Press Association. 

Thirst for Trust in West Virginia, a project by grantee Mike Tony for the Charleston Gazette-Mail, won Best In-Depth or Investigative Reporting. The project uncovers why drinking water in large tracts of West Virginia is unfit for human consumption. 

Tony analyzes both federal data and independent testing to expose critical gaps in water quality regulations, while amplifying the voices of West Virginian residents whose poor drinking water has left them distrustful of their government. 

"As the landscape of local journalism evolves, HD Media remains committed to producing the fair, unbiased reporting that is critical to keeping our communities informed," said Jeff Rider, vice president of news and chief content officer at the Charleston Gazette-Mail’s parent company, HD Media.

Awards were handed out at the end of the West Virginia Press Association’s annual convention, held at the University of Charleston on October 17. See more winners here.