ELKHORN — The next phase of a remedy to chronic water woes in some McDowell County communities is on the way.
A $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Office of Rural Development was announced Thursday by U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., members of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
The money will go to the McDowell County Public Service District toward Phase II of the Elkhorn Creek water project, improving potable water service in the Towns of Kimball and Northfork and the City of Keystone, as well as several other communities, through the replacement of outdated systems.
“Clean water is essential to a healthy, thriving community,” Manchin said. “Every community deserves this access and as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I have made it a priority to ensure our communities in rural West Virginia are not left behind. I will continue to fight so that every corner of West Virginia has the resources to ensure every household has clean water.”
“The people of McDowell County and southern West Virginia helped build our nation,” Capito said. “We owe it to them to ensure they have reliable access to basic services like clean drinking water. Through my role on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, I have worked to deliver solutions that will help those reliant on old coal camp water systems; and as a member of the Appropriations Committee, I have advocated for programs that fund projects like this to replace older municipal systems that are no longer dependable.
Capito said members of her staff toured the Keystone and Northfork water systems and discussed the Elkhorn Creek project with local leaders.
“I applaud the work these elected officials and professionals do for their communities every day,” she said. “I am excited to see this funding come to McDowell County, and I will continue working with those folks on the ground to help advance the completion of this project.”
A $1.5 million grant was released earlier this year for the water projects.
Gov. Jim Justice announced the award from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, part of $12 million released statewide.
The money allowed the McDowell Public Service District to take over water service for the towns of Northfork and Keystone as well as serve the communities of Upland, Powhatan and Kyle.
That project will provide upgraded water service to 112 current customers and 296 new customers.
In January, Keystone’s water system that serves 90 households was down and water had to be brought in.