West Virginia Announces $58 Million in Water Funding
Governor Patrick Morrisey revealed new funding packages to modernize water systems and expand access across the state.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Utilities
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Governor Patrick Morrisey announced a series of infrastructure funding packages totaling more than $58 million to improve water and wastewater systems across West Virginia. These investments aim to modernize aging utilities and expand service to residents in several counties.
Why it matters
The funding supports essential economic and residential growth by replacing outdated infrastructure and increasing reliable water access for thousands of citizens. These projects help ensure long-term utility stability across multiple regions of the state.
The funding includes $47.31 million for a Buckhannon water plant and $2.525 million for Salt Rock wastewater upgrades serving 4,855 customers. Additionally, $930,000 in grants supports extensions reaching 451 current and potential residents in Justice and Hanover.
The players
Patrick Morrisey
Patrick Morrisey serves as the Governor of West Virginia and oversees state-level infrastructure initiatives.
The details
The state funding packages combine federal grants, local contributions, and Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council loans to facilitate site-specific improvements. The Buckhannon project specifically features a new water treatment plant alongside a raw water intake system to boost operational capacity.
Timeline
Governor Patrick Morrisey announced the funding packages on October 22, 2026.
A commitment regarding the Fort Gay project is scheduled for August 2026.
Market Landscape
This investment continues a broader trend of leveraging federal and state utility grants to revitalize rural industrial infrastructure. These projects position the state to improve long-term utility reliability while mitigating the maintenance costs associated with aging, inefficient water systems.
Residents in the designated service areas will gain access to modernized water systems and expanded connection availability. These upgrades are intended to improve service reliability, reducing the likelihood of outages for the thousands of customers served by these facilities.
The takeaway
Reliable water access is a cornerstone of regional economic viability and public health. Residents should stay informed about local construction schedules as these utilities begin their modernization work.
Further reading
Find more information on state utility initiatives on the Utilities section page.
Live Poll
Do you support the prioritization of new water and wastewater infrastructure projects in your community?
