BECKLEY, W.Va. — Governor Patrick Morrisey on Thursday announced an additional $145 million in state funding for water and wastewater infrastructure, a move that puts West Virginia on track to surpass $1 billion in total projects during his administration. The investment is part of a new statewide initiative called the Clean, Clear Water Strategy, aimed at accelerating project timelines and directing resources to communities facing the most severe water system failures.
Morrisey said the strategy is built on feedback gathered during his recent Water Listening Tour across Wayne, Mingo, Wyoming, and McDowell counties, where operators reported widespread water loss, aging systems, and persistent boil‑water advisories.
“We went into these communities, listened to the problems people are facing, and now we are acting,” Morrisey said. “We’re putting real resources behind fixing West Virginia’s water infrastructure and making sure that money produces results.”
Since taking office, the Morrisey administration has provided more than $174 million in state grants and low‑interest loans, helping advance more than $552 million in projects through July. The new funding is expected to leverage federal, local, and private dollars to push total project value above $1 billion.
The Clean, Clear Water Strategy includes partnerships 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. Other components include:
- 60‑day project reviews and a public dashboard to track applications and progress.
- Need‑based funding priorities for communities facing failing systems, boil‑water orders, or financial distress.
- Modernized utility laws to reduce paperwork and help struggling systems share resources.
- Public reporting on miles of water line repaired, treatment upgrades, and expanded service.
In Wayne County, where some systems are losing up to 70 percent of treated water before it reaches customers, the state has brought in American Water to assist with leak detection and repairs.
Morrisey said the strategy is designed to deliver measurable improvements and ensure communities see tangible results from state investments.
