BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced Wednesday in Beckley an additional $145 million in state funding for water and wastewater infrastructure projects as West Virginia works to address aging and failing utility systems across the state.
The funding is part of the administration’s new Clean, Clear Water Strategy and is expected to help push the total value of water and wastewater projects advanced during Morrisey’s administration above $1 billion.
“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, the state provided more than $174 million in grants and low-interest loans for water and wastewater infrastructure. Those funds helped advance more than $552 million in projects through the end of July.
The administration said the additional $145 million announced Wednesday is expected to leverage federal, local and other funding to bring the total value of projects to more than $1 billion.
Under the Clean, Clear Water Strategy, the state will partner with Marshall University, West Virginia University and the state’s 11 Regional Planning and Development Councils to provide grant-writing and technical assistance to small and understaffed water systems.
Projects under binding commitment will move to 60-day reviews, and a public dashboard will be used to track applications and projects.
The strategy will also place greater consideration on communities dealing with failing systems, boil-water orders, public health concerns and financial difficulties. The administration also plans to work with the Legislature to modernize utility laws and make it easier for struggling utilities to share resources and cooperate.
The state plans to publicly track results including miles of water lines built or repaired, treatment facilities upgraded and the number of 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 announcement follows Morrisey’s recent Water Listening Tour through Wayne, Mingo, Wyoming and McDowell counties.
In Wayne County, some water systems are losing as much as 70% of their treated water before it reaches customers, according to the governor’s office. The state brought in American Water to assist with leak detection and is providing resources to support repairs.
Morrisey’s office said another water-related announcement is expected Thursday.
