Basketball Players, Fans Bring High Hopes and Water Bottles to Charleston

The four-day West Virginia Girls state basketball tournament began Wednesday and many athletes and fans say they came to Charleston anxious about taking showers and drinking tap water.

After reading about the city’s water issues since the Jan. 9 chemical  spill into the Elk River, which fouled the air with licorice-smelling water, those arriving from outside the spill zone are making their own decisions on bottled versus tap water at area hotels and restaurants.

Some have brought their own bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth, while others believe the problem is well in the past, as they prefer to focus on the moment — winning a championship.

The girls basketball finals are Saturday.