BECKLEY, W.Va. (The Hinton News) – Governor Patrick Morrisey announced an additional $145 million in state funding for water and wastewater infrastructure over the coming year, putting West Virginia on track to surpass $1 billion in total projects while launching a new strategy to get projects moving faster and help communities most in need.
“We are about taking action to help people,” said Governor Morrisey. “We went into these communities, listened to the problems people are facing, and now we are acting. We’re putting real resources behind fixing West Virginia’s water infrastructure and making sure that money produces results.”
During the first 19 months of the Morrisey administration, West Virginia has provided more than $174 million in state grants and low-interest loans for water and wastewater infrastructure, helping advance more than $552 million in total projects through the end of July. The additional $145 million announced today is expected to leverage federal, local, and other funding to push the total value of projects above $1 billion.
As part of the new Clean, Clear Water Strategy, the state is partnering with Marshall University, West Virginia University, and West Virginia’s 11 Regional Planning and Development Councils to provide grant-writing and technical assistance directly to small and understaffed water systems. The strategy also includes:
● Faster project oversight: Projects under binding commitment will move to 60-day reviews, with a public dashboard tracking applications and projects.
● Funding based on need: The state will work to ensure communities facing failing systems, boil-water orders, public health concerns, and financial distress receive greater consideration.
● Modernized utility laws: The administration will work with the Legislature to cut outdated paperwork and give struggling utilities better tools to share resources and work together.
● Public accountability: West Virginia will report miles of water line built or repaired, treatment facilities upgraded, and homes and businesses receiving new or improved service.
“Marshall, WVU, and our 11 Regional Planning and Development Councils are going to bring their expertise to bear for communities that need it most,” said Governor Morrisey. “They will help small water systems compete for funding, navigate complicated requirements, and get projects moving. At the same time, we’re going to cut through red tape when projects get stuck and make sure West Virginians can see the results.”
The strategy follows Governor Morrisey’s recent Water Listening Tour through Wayne, Mingo, Wyoming, and McDowell counties. In Wayne County, where some systems are losing as much as 70 percent of their treated water before it reaches customers, the state brought in American Water to assist with leak detection and is providing resources to support repairs.
Another big water announcement is coming tomorrow.
