West Virginia is putting more than $58 million toward water and sewer projects in five counties, Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced Thursday, Oct. 22. The biggest piece by far is a new water treatment plant in Buckhannon, but the list also includes a water line extension in southern coal country and a wastewater plant upgrade near Huntington (via WV MetroNews).
For contractors who work public utility jobs, this is a pipeline worth tracking. Most of these projects still have to go through design, permitting and bidding, which means the work hasn't been bought yet.
In Upshur County, Buckhannon is replacing its water treatment plant as part of a roughly $47 million effort to modernize the city's system. The governor's office said the state is adding $4 million in Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) money, on top of about $43.31 million in federal loans and grants, other loans and principal forgiveness already lined up.
Much of that federal money was secured earlier this year. In June, USDA Rural Development obligated $33.31 million for the project, a $31.31 million low-interest loan plus a $2 million grant, according to the city. The city called it the second-largest USDA financing package ever approved for a water or sewer project in West Virginia. The rest comes from a mix of state and federal partners, including ARPA dollars, the state revolving fund, an EDA grant, the West Virginia Water Development Authority and the Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council.
The city's project FAQ breaks the cost down as about $33 million for the plant itself and $5.5 million in pipeline upgrades, with the balance going to engineering, property, financing fees and contingencies. The engineer is Potesta & Associates, which also did the feasibility study. The plant doesn't just serve Buckhannon. Public service districts in Upshur, Barbour, Harrison, Lewis, Randolph and Webster counties buy water from it.
Timing matters here. The city's FAQ says design was expected to take about two years, with construction anticipated to start in September 2027. Its USDA announcement listed next steps as finishing engineering plans, locking in partner commitment letters, completing permits and environmental paperwork, and getting authorization to go to bid. Residents are paying for it, too: the FAQ lays out a phased rate increase of about 62%, taking the average monthly bill from $27.26 to $44.14.
"There is still much work ahead," Mayor Robbie Skinner said, adding that the announcement brings the city a significant step closer.
In Mingo and Wyoming counties, Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council grants will help fund an $8.7 million water extension. It's set to serve 236 customers in the Justice community and bring public water to 215 more in Hanover, along with homes now on private wells, Huff Consolidated School and the R.D. Bailey Lake facility.
In Cabell County, the IJDC is backing a $2.5 million upgrade to the Salt Rock wastewater treatment plant, which serves nearly 5,000 customers in Ona, Milton and Culloden.
And in Wayne County, Fort Gay is getting a $185,000 IJDC commitment for a new connection to its water supply. Engineering is already done there, according to the governor's office.
"These investments are going to help bring public water to families who have never had it," Morrisey said.
Why it matters for Contractors
The Buckhannon plant is the kind of job that goes to a heavy civil or utility prime, but a $47 million build creates plenty of room for subs: site work, concrete, electrical, mechanical, painting and line work on the $5.5 million in pipe upgrades. If that's your lane, get to know the engineer of record and watch for bid authorization, which the city has said comes after engineering, permits and funding commitments are wrapped up.
The smaller jobs are where a 5- to 20-person crew has a better shot. The Fort Gay connection already has engineering finished, and the Justice and Hanover extension will mean service lines to homes that have only ever had wells. Keep an eye on the county public service district and municipal bid postings in Wayne, Mingo, Wyoming and Cabell counties.
One more thing: none of these announcements included bid dates, so don't count on this work until it actually hits the street.