Part of Mountain Valley Pipeline bursts in water pressure test

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — Virginia environmental officials are investigating a failed test of the Mountain Valley Pipeline.

Earlier this month, the company building the pipeline did a pressure test with water and not natural gas. A portion of the pipe – near Bent Mountain, Virginia – burst, and people living nearby noticed more sediment in local streams. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality is assessing any damage.

The pipeline runs the length of West Virginia into Virginia. A supporter of the pipeline says water tests are important to finding flaws before any natural gas is sent through.

“I think what we saw is probably the safety precautions and the permitting precautions, that should go on the front end rather than the back end if there’s an accident. I feel very comfortable,” said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, (R) West Virginia.

Environmental groups opposed the pipeline, saying it could burst with natural gas and pollute the air and water. They once had a court ruling to stop the pipeline, but last summer the U.S. Supreme Court said pipeline construction could resume.

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