More Than $11 Million Expected To Modernize Community Sewage Systems

Two communities struggling to provide dependable, safe wastewater services will get millions of dollars in funding to modernize their systems. 

The Town of Fort Gay in Wayne County will get $7.3 million to provide customers with dependable access to modernized wastewater collection and treatment services, Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced Monday.  

Following his water listening tour, Morrisey said he was recommending approval of funds from the Appalachian Regional Commission, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the state Water Development Authority Economic Enhancement Grant Fund. 

“We’re installing a brand-new, extended aeration wastewater treatment plant to completely rehabilitate the town’s system,” Morrisey said. “This means better, more reliable service for roughly 356 customers in a hard-working Wayne County community that deserves our full support.” 

Another $4.4 million will be used to help rebuild and modernize Moundsville’s wastewater system in Marshall County, the governor said.  

That money will come from the state’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund program, which provides low-cost financing and grants to improve, upgrade, or replace critical wastewater infrastructure.  

“For years, heavy rains have put a massive strain on the city’s underground pipes, causing storm water to rush into an aging system, overload main lines, and force untreated wastewater directly into Middle Grave Creek, Grave Creek, and the Ohio River,” Morrisey said.  “That’s unacceptable for our families and unacceptable for our environment.” 

The scheduled improvements include replacing leaky old sewer lines and protecting area creeks and rivers from raw sewage spills during heavy storms.