Millions of dollars in newly secured federal funding aim to bolster rural water infrastructure for two West Virginia communities.
On Monday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its allocation of $3,229,000 in federal funding toward water improvement projects in Marion and Jackson counties.
Specifically, the funding aims to improve wastewater treatment plants and water meters in the cities of Mannington and Ripley.
Across the state, aging water infrastructure and budgetary issues related to population decline have jeopardized local drinking water and wastewater services. But, in recent years, hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding have been allocated toward water projects in West Virginia.
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., who oversees federal spending as a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, said the investment would “support vital water infrastructure upgrades in both cities.”
Through these upgrades, state officials hope to further bolster water access for two of the state’s rural communities. “I look forward to seeing the positive impacts of the investments,” Manchin added.