This legislative resolution asks the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study ways to reduce water loss in public water systems across West Virginia. The study will examine strategies like leak detection, infrastructure upgrades, and performance-based incentives to help water systems save money and stabilize rates for customers. It specifically focuses on identifying systems with the highest water loss and exploring financing options such as special bonds and grant programs to fund improvements. The committee must report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by December 1, 2026.
This legislative resolution asks the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to investigate the ongoing water quality and infrastructure problems in southern West Virginia, especially in McDowell and Wyoming counties. The study will examine causes of poor water quality, potential contamination sources, the condition of existing water systems, and whether state agencies are properly regulating the situation. The committee is required to report its findings and recommendations to the legislature by the 2027 session, with costs covered by legislative funding.
This bill asks the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study whether energy recovery and micro-hydropower technologies could be used in West Virginia's public water systems. The study would examine specific locations like pressure valves and discharge points where excess water energy is currently wasted, and evaluate technologies that could generate electricity without major construction or environmental harm. The committee would also analyze potential cost savings, review available funding sources, and consider regulatory requirements for such installations. If the study finds these technologies feasible, the committee would provide recommendations to the Legislature by December 1, 2026, to help reduce water system operating costs and potentially lower water rates for residents.
HB 5210 comprehensively updates West Virginia's water infrastructure laws to support public water and wastewater utilities. It creates a voluntary "Struggling Utilities Improvement Pilot Program" to help six to ten struggling utilities address issues before reaching a "distressed" status, while prioritizing low-interest loans for public utilities over private ones. The bill requires mandatory training for municipal officials overseeing water systems, mandates reporting to county commissions, and establishes a new "improvement period" for utilities on the distressed watch list. It also modifies funding rules to prevent state support for utilities with serious regulatory noncompliance or financial audit issues, and allows public utilities to secure customer use contracts before project funding.
SB 762 comprehensively reforms West Virginia's water infrastructure systems by updating laws governing public water and wastewater utilities. It grants the Department of Environmental Protection authority over state water infrastructure funds, prioritizes public utilities for low-interest loans (while allowing private utilities to apply), and requires struggling utilities to address issues through a mandatory improvement period after being placed on a "watch list." The bill creates a voluntary Early Intervention Program for 6-10 utilities to resolve problems before reaching crisis status, mandates training for local officials overseeing utilities, and establishes regional cooperation agreements to share resources. It also sets new eligibility rules for state funding, including requirements for financial audits and guidelines for funding projects like line extensions.
HB 5642 creates the State Utility Accountability and Improvement Program to support water and wastewater utilities in West Virginia, particularly those facing financial or operational challenges. It establishes a State Utility Management Corps to provide direct assistance, authorizes temporary management (conservatorships) for struggling utilities, and creates a Priority Utility Docket for faster public service commission reviews. The bill also expands the Distressed Utilities Account for financial aid, sets up a tiered reclassification system for rate adjustments, and requires annual utility assessments for transparency. These provisions apply directly to public water and wastewater utilities across the state, aiming to improve service reliability and long-term sustainability.
HB 5525 creates the "Southern West Virginia Clean Water Fund" to improve drinking water in 13 specific counties (Boone, Fayette, Greenbrier, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Monroe, Raleigh, Summers, Wayne, and Wyoming). The bill requires water utilities to conduct quarterly contaminant testing, replace lead service lines by 2035 (with financial help for low-income households), and implement advanced filtration systems where water quality fails state standards. It appropriates $10 million in state funds for infrastructure upgrades, mandates public reporting of test results within 30 days, and imposes fines (reinvested into the fund) for violations of safe drinking water limits. The law also requires annual infrastructure assessments and updates to contaminant standards every three years based on scientific research.
This resolution (HR 10) proposes approval of federal legislation (H.R. 5966), the Ohio River Restoration Program Act, which would establish a program to improve the Ohio River. The program would fund specific actions like cleaning polluted water, restoring fish habitats, controlling invasive species, and improving public access to the river. West Virginia directly benefits as 28% of the river’s length borders the state, providing drinking water for 700,000 residents and supporting local economies. The resolution itself does not create funding but formally supports the federal bill’s implementation. This is a procedural resolution endorsing the broader federal restoration effort.
House Resolution 13 is a West Virginia legislative resolution endorsing federal legislation (H.R. 5966), which would create the Ohio River Basin Restoration Program. If enacted, the program would fund projects to improve water quality, restore fish habitats, enhance flood resiliency, and expand recreational access across the Ohio River basin. It directly affects West Virginia residents who rely on the river for drinking water (700,000 people), economic activity, and recreation along its 277-mile border. The resolution clarifies the program would be non-regulatory, not creating new permits or legal claims, and aims to deliver clean water and economic benefits to communities in the Ohio River watershed.
This bill, SB 222, updates West Virginia's Public Water Supply Protection Act by imposing new requirements on public water systems and public service districts. It mandates that water systems install real-time telemetry for aboveground tank levels, issue quarterly public reports, and undergo independent reviews when needed. Public service districts must appoint a communications officer, and the Public Service Commission must address water worker shortages in annual reports. These changes directly affect municipal water providers, rural water associations, and state oversight bodies responsible for water safety and infrastructure. The bill focuses on improving transparency, infrastructure monitoring, and emergency preparedness for public water systems.
