CLARKSBURG, W.Va. – A major investment from the state is bringing significant upgrades to the water system in the city of Clarksburg.
Governor Patrick Morrisey announced a $19 million commitment from the state toward a $50 million project replacing lead service lines and making other improvements.
“This funding is going toward replacing lead lines that can harm West Virginia families, but it’s also going to upgrade the system’s undersized water main,” he said.
The governor noted upgrades to fire protection, modernization of water meters, and maintenance to leaking lines as other features of the project. He highlighted the importance that clean drinking water has to West Virginia families.
“We do need to be always looking out for the kids in our state, and having good, clean drinking water will matter. Even small amounts of lead can cause long-term damage to kids, whether it’s developmental or neurological damage,” he said.
Morrisey praised not only local legislators for helping put the project together but also the Clarksburg water board and the local utility workers for their contributions to the upcoming improvements. Focusing on the impact it can have on families, he related to the parents who want to keep their kids as healthy as possible.
“West Virginians work hard every day to raise their families, to run their small businesses, and, quite frankly, to serve their communities, and as they raise their kids, parents want to do everything in their power to keep their kids safe,” he said.
The project’s impact on economic development also came up as part of Morrisey’s announcement. He continues to emphasize the importance of having the proper basic infrastructure to attract new business.
“I’ve been preaching if you get the fundamentals right, it makes it a heck of a lot easier to draw economic development into the area, and we’ve talked about that—the importance to evolve and be really good on the basics,” he said.
Morrisey said he wants Clarksburg natives to be sure that when they turn on the tap, their water is clean and safe.