CHARLESTON — A master plan is needed to identify all areas of West Virginia in need of water and sewer service as regions compete for shrinking federal dollars, a legislative leader suggested Tuesday.
Sen. John Unger, D-Berkeley, told a West Virginia Development Office representative the plan could be patterned after the six-year plan drawn up by the Division of Highways to pinpoint road needs and assign priorities.
“That is our emphasis — our water and sewer projects,” Jeanna Bailes, community development specialist with the Development Office, told members of the Joint Legislative Oversight Commission on State Water Resources.
“Let’s come up with a master plan like the DOH has to get an idea of what the needs are,” Unger said.
Bailes said the state’s federal allocation for fiscal 2008 was $16,642,524, a decrease of $5 million from seven years ago.
Over the past seven years, she pointed out, the state examined more than 800 Small Cities Block Grant requests. Within that time, some 267 projects were awarded, leveraging some $354 million in federal, state, local and private dollars.
From fiscal 2007, the state has 81 pending applications that require more than $89 million. Last year’s federal allotment totaled $17,122,780.
“That may be the tip of the iceberg, and may not be the highest priorities,” Unger, the panel’s co-chairman, said of pending applications.
Unger said he would like to see such a plan in the committee’s hands by the end of the year
Jeff Brady, representing the Infrastructure Council, told Unger his entity would attempt to get such a plan drawn up.
“We want to serve the unserved and learn where those unserved are,” he said.
Delegate Mike Burdiss, D-Wyoming, cautioned that any water installation should be accompanied with an attendant sewer system as well, considering the extra strain imposed by the additional appliances.
“If you put in water and don’t put in sewer, you’re exacerbating the problem,” he said.
Brady told the other co-chair, Delegate Tim Manchin, D-Marion, that it takes an average of three years to bring a proposed project from “commitment to construction,” but from the point of conception, about five years.
“If they want a grant, it’s going to take a while,” he said. “If they want a loan, it’s a snap.”
The panel in the coming months will be taking a look at the state’s efforts to promote the availability of safe drinking water projects and how they are financed.
— E-mail:
mannix@register-herald.com
Local News
Unger wants ‘master plan’ on water, sewer needs
- Local News
-
- New River to offer new degree in social services
-
Lake Stephens plans beach blast
Ring in the summer fun with food, friends, local musicians and a beachfront atmosphere June 2 at the fifth annual Lake Stephens Beach Blast.
-
Rahall speaks at Meadow Bridge graduation event
Representative Nick J. Rahall spoke at the Meadow Bridge High School graduation Saturday, commending the school and graduates on their decade-long 100 percent voter registration.
-
Boating accident claims man during camping trip
A Fayette County man is dead after a boating accident during a family camping trip Saturday, reported Jeff West, Chief Ranger for the New River Gorge National River.
- Calendar — Sunday, May 27, 2012
-
A fun day at school
Students who participated in a school fundraiser at Cranberry-Prosperity Elementary School sprayed their principal Becky Smith during a hot Friday. Smith was decked out in flippers, goggles and floaties during the fun. Smith paraded past students as they drenched her with water guns.
- Grads ‘trying to pay it forward’
-
Mount Hope woman aims to help youths live better lives
- Pool season to begin this weekend
- Safety key while boating in Mountain State
- More Local News Headlines


