Morrisey announces $3.2m water filtration scheme for West Virginia

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 05:50 · Archive

Governor Patrick Morrisey announced a $3.2 million water filtration initiative to deliver clean drinking water to around 5,000 homes in McDowell and Mingo counties.

Governor Patrick Morrisey announced a $3.2 million water filtration initiative for McDowell and Mingo counties in southern West Virginia. The scheme will deliver clean drinking water to around 5,000 homes relying on private wells and springs. Of the funding, $1.2 million comes from a federal Rural Health Transformation Program, with the remaining $2 million from a state contingency fund.

At approximately $500 per household, the 1,000 homes facing the most serious water problems will receive countertop water purification systems, a full year of replacement filters, and settling tanks where heavy iron is a problem. The remaining 4,000 homes will also receive water filtration systems. Morrisey said the initiative will help ensure families have access to safe drinking water.

However, Richard Altizer, founder of Mountain Water Watch, expressed scepticism about the initiative's effectiveness. He said the proposed systems cannot remove metals from the water, which he identified as a significant problem in the counties. 'There's nothing that they can put in here that would take the metals out of the water,' Altizer said, citing high levels of copper and barium found throughout the counties. He described the countertop systems as 'false hope' for residents, arguing that metals must be removed from water for it to be truly clean.

How it is being reported

• Part of Southern W.Va. to receive water infrastructure upgradesGov. Patrick Morrisey announced a $3.2 million initiative for water filtration in McDowell and Mingo counties.WSAZ · 5 Nov, 04:26
• Morrisey announces $3.2 million water filtration initiativeFollowing a visit to Welch, Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced a $3.2 million water filtration initiative that will deliver clean drinking water to around 5,000 homes in McDowell and Mingo counties.WVVA · 4 Nov, 22:59
• Morrisey announces water filtration initiative for households in Mingo, McDowell CountiesWELCH, W.Va. (WOWK) — Water filtration systems will soon be available to households in Mingo and McDowell Counties that rely on private wells and springs. Governor Patrick Morrisey announced the $3.2 million initiative in Welch Thursday, which combines state and federal funding. "Clean, dependable drinking water is a basic necessity, and our families have gone [...]Wowktv · 4 Nov, 20:41

In this story: Patrick Morrisey · McDowell County · Mingo County · Mountain Water Watch · Richard Altizer · Welch · West Virginia

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