CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS) — Water infrastructure upgrades on Charleston’s East End began Aug. 12 and the $315,000 project included replacing aging water mains with new piping along Quarrier Street, according to West Virginia American Water.
“The way I look about it is if they’re improving the actual water mains for the tenants and the people that live here, perfect,” Charleston resident Stephen Reynolds said.
But Reynolds also said he was worried the improvements may lead to more costs being passed onto the consumer and said he already struggles to keep up with recent price hikes.
“We get a shut off notice because the rich man wants more in his pocket. what about the poor man?” Reynolds said.
According to a statement from Charleston’s 9th Ward councilwoman Mary Beth Hoover, “The upgrades will provide a more resilient water infrastructure, better meeting the needs of residents while also improving emergency preparedness…”
As of March 2024, the federal government announced around $267 million for clean water and water infrastructure in the state. About $57 million will go towards lead pipe replacement.
In a 2023 Environmental Protection Agency Water Infrastructure Assessment, it suggested West Virginia will need about $1.6 billion over 20 years to provide safe drinking water for residents.
In 2015, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, now the Department of Health, did a study on water source protection that identified areas as “zones of critical concern” and “zones of peripheral concern.”
Although downtown Charleston is not in either of those areas, the zones are located in WVAW’s “Kanawha Valley District.”