Water Infrastructure Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

EPA Money Awarded To W.Va. For Water Projects

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will award West Virginia the money to support improvements to water systems and access to safe drinking water across the state.

Most of the funding – $93.15 million – comes from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which is the largest federal investment in water infrastructure in the nation’s history. This funding will supplement $16.73 million in FY 23 funding assigned to West Virginia’s Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs).

“These awards show that EPA is not just a regulator – but is a funder and partner,” said EPA’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz. “The bipartisan infrastructure law ensures communities most in need and those grappling with emerging contaminants such as PFAS have access to funding that will deliver cleaner and safer water for generations to come.”

The EPA awards grants to states annually. The money goes into State Revolving Funds, which provide low or no interest loans for the water projects.

West Virginia will use this money to help communities across the state fund necessary water projects that some borrowers may not have been able to afford otherwise.

For more information on intended projects for this Drinking Water SRF funding in West Virginia, please visit: https://oehs.wvdhhr.org/eed/infrastructure-capacity-development/intended-use-plans/.

State, Federal Funds Support Fire Services, Water Infrastructure

Millions of dollars in state money will help the state fund fire services, as well as infrastructure improvements.

During his weekly media briefing Thursday, Governor Jim Justice announced the first distribution of $3 million dollars in funding for fire services in West Virginia.

“Our volunteer fire departments, gosh. What would we do without all these people?” Justice said. “People that are stepping up and volunteering and trying to help communities over and over and over. And they do, not only they save all kinds of lives, but to help us in every way imaginable.”

The funding comes after the passage and signing of Senate Bill’s 1022 and 1023, supplementing appropriations to the Division of Emergency Management, Growth County Fire Protection Fund, and County Fire Protection Fund.

The first round of funding contained in SB 1022 has been released through the County Fire Protection Fund, delivering resources to all 55 counties in West Virginia.

The funds can be used for Fire Departments and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to purchase equipment, education and training expenses or to offset costs associated with compliance with Insurance Service Office (ISO) recommendations, utility bills and insurance payments.

The governor also announced more than $10 million in federal funds for infrastructure advancements in three West Virginia communities.

“I’m thrilled to be able to share some news regarding critical infrastructure projects in West Virginia,” Justice said.

The funding from the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency was secured through $2.8 million in matching funds from the state.

The projects in Randolph, Wyoming and Tucker counties will improve water infrastructure, including water treatment and extending water service to communities lacking a reliable drinking water source.

Update: Legislators Hear Update On PSC Fire Hydrant Investigation

Legislators heard an update about the Public Service Commission’s statewide investigation into the maintenance and testing of fire hydrants at Monday’s interim meetings.

Updated on Tuesday, Aug. 08, 2023 at 10:15 a.m.

The deadline for municipalities and water districts to file reports on the maintenance and testing of their fire hydrants was extended to Aug. 25 in an order issued Monday evening by the Public Service Commission of West Virginia.

“Despite the considerable number of entities that failed to respond, only a handful of entities contacted the commission to request additional time to provide the requested information,” the order said.

The order goes on to note that maintaining accurate and up to date records should be “business as usual” for a public utility and that information pertaining to utility facilities, including information regarding fire hydrants is required annually in the reports water utilities must file.

“We consider this to be a front and center public safety issue for which timing is of the essence and further delay is unacceptable,” the order said.

The order makes it clear there will be no additional extensions granted for any reason, and the PSC will proceed with appropriate actions to advise or direct utility action to protect the public health and safety.

Original Post:

Legislators heard an update about the Public Service Commission’s statewide investigation into the maintenance and testing of fire hydrants at Monday’s interim meetings.

At the end of June, the PSC initiated a general investigation and required all 301 of the state’s utilities that own fire hydrants, or that serve private fire hydrants, to report certain information including the number of hydrants owned or serviced, their age and maintenance schedules and practices by July 28.

However, during the Monday meeting of the Joint Standing Committee on Technology and Infrastructure Jonathan Fowler, PSC engineer, told lawmakers that only about half of utilities have responded.

“The water utilities have never been asked to report anything other than the number of hydrants in their annual reports,” he said. “What we’re trying to do now is to develop a more comprehensive database to reflect the industry standard on maintenance and testing of these hydrants.”

According to Fowler, there is a national standard that specifies that fire hydrants should be inspected annually and should be flow tested either every three years or every five years.

“We are trying to determine how many utilities comply with that standard,” he said.

Fowler said he has been pleasantly surprised at the number of smaller utilities that have written fire hydrant maintenance procedures and documentation.

Del. Kayla Young, D-Kanawha, said she was intimately familiar with why the investigation is happening, in reference to a fire in May that burned down a Charleston house where firefighters could not find a functioning hydrant.

“Half of these water utilities are not in compliance,” she said. “What do you do if they don’t respond? These people’s homes are potentially in danger, so how do we best protect our constituents?”

Fowler said there will be a further order issued by the PSC requiring those to respond.

“And I would suppose after this second notification, there may be an additional action by the commission,” he said.

Del. Adam Burkhammer, R-Lewis, asked if there was a plan to replace inoperable hydrants after the data collection process was concluded.

“Utilities are supposed to repair and maintain their system in accordance with the standards,” Fowler said. “For small utilities costs can be a deterrent.”

He went on to explain that new hydrants being installed on existing lines can cost between $10,000 to $13,000. He explained that hydrants are robustly designed and are designed to be maintained for 100 years.

“We have a few in this state that are over 100 years old. The majority from what I’m seeing in the data responses are less than 50 years old, and you can still get all the parts you need for those,” Fowler said. “So it gets back to an issue of requiring the utility to better maintain the hydrants. We had one utility responded that seven fire hydrants in his system are so old, he’s afraid to open them because he can’t shut them back off. So this is the kind of thing we’re getting. It’s an important public safety question.”

Fowler said once the PSC has received all the information from utilities it will be able to formulate an appropriate response.

Encore: Millipedes And Taylor Swift, Inside Appalachia

This week, we visit a farm in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania that can grow on one acre what other farms grow on 100 acres. We also hear about a podcast that remembers the “Back to the Land” movement of the 1970s and ‘80s – and a mysterious disappearance. And, we meet a team of scientists that found dozens of new millipedes across Appalachia. They named one species after a pop star.

This week, we visit a farm in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania that can grow on one acre what other farms grow on 100 acres.

We also hear about a podcast that remembers the “Back to the Land” movement of the 1970s and ‘80s – and a mysterious disappearance.

And, we meet a team of scientists that found dozens of new millipedes across Appalachia. They named one species after a pop star.

These stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.

In This Episode:

The Flow Of Water In McDowell County
The Queen Of Pop And The Millipede
I Was Never There
Communities Of Healing Helping Appalachian Furnishings

The Flow Of Water In McDowell County

McDowell County, West Virginia, has been one of those places where access to clean water has not always been a given. But now, some communities there have finally been connected to a reliable water system. One of those places is Keystone — where 74 percent of residents are Black.

Jessica Lilly has the story.

The Pop Queen And The Millipede

Pop star Taylor Swift is known for ridiculously catchy pop songs and legions of obsessive fans. And now — she has a millipede in Appalachia named after her. It’s called Nannaria Swiftae, or Swift Twisted-claw Millipede.

Taylor Swift’s millipede was given her name by an entomologist named Derek Hennen, who was a PhD at Virginia Tech when he and a team of scientists discovered 17 new millipede species.

Mason Adams traveled to Blacksburg, Virginia and spoke with Hennen.

Derek Hennen, the entomologist who helped to discover 17 new species of millipede. *Courtesy* *Photo*

I Was Never There

Marsha Ferber’s disappearance in 1988 has puzzled the community around Morgantown, West Virginia for decades.

Ferber moved there from New Jersey in the late 1970s and became a fixture. She established a pair of clubs and the Mountain People’s Co-Op. Then in April of 1988, she vanished.

A new podcast titled I Was Never There aims to shed new light on the disappearance, and the “Back to the Land” movement that provides the story’s backdrop.

The podcast was created by a mother and daughter, Karen and Jamie Zelermyer.

Reporter Chris Schulz sat down with them to learn more.

A new podcast, *I Was Never There*, aims to shed new light on the disappearance, and on the “Back to the Land” movement that provides the story’s backdrop. *Courtesy Photo*

Communities Of Healing Helping Appalachian Furnishings

Tammy Jordan, the founder of Fruits of Labor, is helping other businesses create work environments that are recovery friendly. She helped create a program called Communities of Healing.

Jessica Lilly brought us a story about one business that’s using the program — Appalachian Furnishings, in Wyoming County.

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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Ona, Blue Dot Sessions, Montana Skies, and Taylor Swift.

Bill Lynch is our producer. Alex Runyon is our associate producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens. Zander Aloi also helped produce this episode.

You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.

You can find us on Instagram, Threads (new!) and Twitter @InAppalachia. Or here on Facebook.

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Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

$18 Million In W.Va. Infrastructure Grants Awaiting Approval

Gov. Jim Justice announced Wednesday more than $18 million in Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant funding recommendations for 11 projects across West Virginia.

The West Virginia Department of Economic Development administers the state’s ARC program, which is a partnership of federal, state, and local participants providing financial and technical assistance for economic development and infrastructure projects.

“We’ll wait and see if they’re all accepted, but I hope they will be and these upgrades are going to be phenomenal,” Justice said.

The governor’s recommendations will now be sent to ARC for final approval.

The grant recommendations include:

WV Rural Water Association — $187,392

Infrastructure Circuit Rider Project

The project will provide funding for a drinking water and wastewater circuit rider to provide technical assistance to water and wastewater systems in the state. The circuit rider will provide assistance and consultation to local utilities in areas such as leak detection work, preventing inflow and infiltration, utility finance and management, water and wastewater system operations, and loan servicing. The project will enable local utilities to address critical issues without having to hire additional staff and promote more efficient operation and management of existing systems.

Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport Authority — $49,483

MRB Air Cargo Market Demand and Feasibility Study

The project will increase economic development in the Eastern Panhandle region of West Virginia (Morgan, Berkeley, and Jefferson Counties) by conducting an air cargo feasibility study for the Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport and an industry sector market analysis for the James Rumsey Technical Institute’s entrepreneurship center.

Lincoln County

Hamlin Public Service District — $3,325,000

Hamlin Sewer Replacement and Upgrade

The project will upgrade the existing storm water and sewer system in the Hamlin area of Lincoln County. In addition, the project will extend sewer service to the Lincoln County Business Park. The existing system currently experiences high rates of inflow and infiltration and is beyond its useful life. The project will benefit 678 existing customers and expand economic development opportunities in the area by extending sewer service to the business park.

Barbour County

Town of Junior — $1,452,000

Junior Water System Improvements

The project will upgrade the existing water distribution system in the town of Junior in Barbour County, including replacing water lines, valves, water meters, and fire hydrants. Many of the town’s water lines are at the end of their useful life and require frequent maintenance to repair breaks and leaks. The project will benefit 396 existing customers

Webster County

Cowen Public Service District — $3,000,000

Birch River Route 82 Water Extension

The project will extend public water service to 60 new customers along Route 82 in Webster County. Customers in the project area use unreliable private wells that run dry or contain high levels of contaminants. The project will provide residents in the area with a source of safe and reliable water and fire service protection.

Braxton County

Flatwoods-Canoe Run PSD — $2,575,000

Holly Gray Park Sewer Extension

The project extends sewer service to 79 new customers along WV Route 15 between the communities of Flatwoods and Sutton in Braxton County. Currently customers in the area use individual septic systems that are failing or discharge directly into nearby streams. The project will also upgrade wastewater facilities at Holly Gray Park, a county-owned park that includes recreational and camping amenities. The project increases quality of life for local residents, improves stream quality, and enhances outdoor recreation development in the area.

Wetzel County

City of New Martinsville — $800,800

AAA Mobile Home Water System Improvements

The project will install a new water distribution system in the AAA Mobile Home Park located in the Steelton area of New Martinsville. The current water distribution system in the park is antiquated and has experienced numerous line breaks and leakage. In addition, the current layout of the distribution system does not afford efficient access for operation, maintenance, and repairs of the system. The project will improve access and service and benefit 240 new customers.

Mingo County

City of Williamson — $4,200,000

Williamson Water System Upgrade

The project will upgrade the water treatment, storage, and distribution system in the City of Williamson in Mingo County. Currently, the system’s storage capacity is insufficient for existing customers and inhibits economic expansion in the area. Operations and maintenance costs are also high due to aging and failing equipment. The project increases water storage capacity and efficiencies in the city’s system and benefits 1,742 existing customers.

Roane County

Walton Public Service District — $2,000,000

Walton Sewer Project

The project will construct a wastewater treatment plant and collection system to serve approximately 115 residential and commercial customers in the Walton area of Roane County, including Walton Elementary School. The project area currently has raw sewage discharging into nearby waterways, and the lack of public sewer inhibits the development of local housing and businesses.

West Virginia Department of Economic Development — $220,000

Consolidated Technical Assistance

The West Virginia Department of Economic Development (WVDED), with ARC funding assistance, will continue the Consolidated Technical Assistance program. The grant allows WVDED to employ staff for providing technical assistance to ARC applicants and grantees, monitoring and administering ongoing projects, drafting and implementing the West Virginia Development Plan, and operating the West Virginia Main Street and ON TRAC programs.

West Virginia Development Office — $250,000

Competitive Improvement Program

The project will provide training and consultation services to small and medium-sized firms in West Virginia to increase their competitiveness. The project will address a unique need for which no other funding sources are available. The results of these services will be a greater number of companies that are increasing the range of their market and market share, and a commensurate increase in the number of jobs retained or created

Keeping Water Pipes Clean And Growing Food With Kids This West Virginia Morning

On this West Virginia Morning, WVU professor and researcher Emily Garner looks into micro-organisms in water systems, and a children’s book on urban farming and getting kids excited about growing their own food.

On this West Virginia Morning, most of us turn on the water faucet and clean water comes out. But you may not realize the water pipes that deliver the water to you have micro slime inside them.

WVU professor and researcher Emily Garner has a grant from the National Science Foundation to look into micro-organisms in water systems. She spoke with News Director Eric Douglas to explain what she is finding.

And, from The Allegheny Front in Pittsburgh, their latest story about a children’s book on urban farming and getting kids excited about growing their own food.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, which is solely responsible for its content.

Support for our news bureaus comes from Concord University and Shepherd University.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning