W.Va. Couple Sue Chesapeake Appalachia Over Contaminated Water Well

WHEELING, W.VA. - A West Virginia couple has filed a lawsuit against Chesapeake Appalachia LLC, blaming the company's nearby shale gas drilling operation for contaminating the couple's water well. Magers, et ux. v. Chesapeake Appalachia LLC, No. 5:12-cv-00049-FPS (N.D. W.Va.).

Jeremiah N. and Andrea J. Magers filed a two-count complaint in Marshall County (W.Va.) Circuit Court on Feb. 24, but Chesapeake removed the lawsuit to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia on March 30.

The case has been assigned to Senior District Judge Frederick P. Stamp Jr., who has ordered discovery completed by June 1.