Photo by Craig Howell Gov. Patrick Morrisey visited Weirton Tuesday afternoon to announce plans to award $3.3 million, through the West Virginia Water Development Authority, to fund the Walnut Street water line replacement project. The Weirton Area Water Board previously was awarded $1 million for the project through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

WEIRTON – The Weirton Area Water Board is set to receive some additional assistance in its efforts to update parts of the city water distribution system; this time from the Governor’s Office itself.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey came to Weirton Tuesday to announce plans to provide $3.3 million to aid the Water Board, with funds to be provided through the state’s Water Development Authority. The funds will be in addition to the $1 million in Congressionally Directed Spending through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced at the end of March.

“That’s a little more than $4.3 million to provide clean, safe water to Weirton and the Northern Panhandle,” Morrisey said before a crowd gathered in the Weirton Room of the Millsop Community Center.

The grant, details of which still need to be finalized, will be set for use on the Water Board’s Walnut Street project, which will include the replacement of 3,500 feet of water lines, much of it serving the city’s downtown, as well as upgrading those lines from the current 12 inch lines to 18 inch lines.

Breaks in the existing 12-inch main line along Walnut Street, located just below Municipal Plaza, were a major contributor to the water conservation order issued in Weirton in December 2024 and January 2025, after they resulted in the loss of water service for much of the city’s downtown at the time.

Crews were called to the area earlier this year for another break in the line, but were able to make repairs without any major long-term issues.

While the Weirton Area Water Board remains under a mandate from the West Virginia Public Service Commission to replace all of the existing cast iron and galvanized steel pipes in the distribution system, officials say the Walnut Street section will be key to the future of the system.

“We think that’s going to stabilize the entire distribution system,” Morrisey said.

Weirton Utilities Director A.D. “Butch” Mastrantoni noted the importance of the Water Development Authority grant in the Water Board’s project plans, with the Walnut Street project estimated at more than $4 million.

“This, combined with the Army Corps funding, will fully fund the Walnut Street project,” Mastrantoni said.

The Water Board estimates replacement of the remainder of the system, as ordered by the PSC, could cost around $190 million.

Weirton Mayor Dean Harris recalled the initial line breaks, boil orders and conservation orders took place just before he and the current Weirton Council took office, saying the assistance announced Tuesday will help to address the city’s needs.

“We walked into it,” Harris said. “With your help, we’re going to see a resolution to the problem.”

Morrisey noted he, too, had taken office shortly after the water issues arose in Weirton, explaining he was quickly approached by Del. Pat McGeehan, R-Hancock, Del. Mark Zatezalo, R-Hancock, and state Sen. Laura Wakim Chapman, R-Ohio, for assistance in addressing the issue.

“When they say our community needs help, I take it very seriously,” Morrisey said, explaining that included the deployment of water buffaloes and emergency personnel to provide aid to the Water Board and community.

Mastrantoni also offered thanks to the legislators.

“We appreciate your hard work to secure this funding,” he said.

Zatezalo noted the issues of water infrastructure experienced in Weirton is being seen all over West Virginia, as lines, many installed 50 years ago under Clean Water Act regulations of the 1970s, age and can no longer handle the water pressure.

“That’s what happened to Weirton,” he said, adding it is important to focus initial work on the Walnut Street area, and pledging to continue to look for ways to help. “You start what the problem started.”

McGeehan pointed to the importance of clean water in keeping a community united and thriving, while Chapman said the project will be a benefit for the residents.

Photo by Craig Howell
State and local officials gathered in the Weirton Room of the Millsop Community Center Tuesday as Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced plans for a $3.3 million grant to the Weirton Area Water Board.