An expansion project aimed at providing more opportunity for growth in Weirton is officially underway. 

Employees of the Weirton Area Water Board were joined Tuesday by local, state, and federal officials, along with other guests, for a ceremonial groundbreaking in celebration of a plan to double the capacity at the city’s water treatment plant. 

“It sets the course in Weirton, not just for today, but for generations to come,” declared U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., who served as the keynote speaker for the event. 

The culmination of more than seven years of planning and design work, the $44 million project will increase the treatment capacity at the plant from its current 4 million gallons per day level to 8 million gallons per day, which officials say will help to better serve current and future residents and businesses. 

Funding will include $22.47 million in Congressionally Directed Spending channeled through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a $14.7 million loan from the West Virginia Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council, a $5.6 million match provided through the West Virginia Governor’s Office, $1 million from the West Virginia Water Development Authority, $200,000 from Weirton Council, $165,000 from the IJDC Overrun Program and $100,000 from the Water Board. 

“This is where your tax dollars come back to you,” Capito said. 

Construction on the treatment plant expansion is expected to be complete in March 2026. 

Weirton City Manager Mike Adams served as master of ceremonies, saying the investment is one of the largest ever made for such a project in West Virginia’s history, breaking one reportedly set only a few months ago by Weirton’s $37 million wastewater treatment plant expansion project. 

“This will be looked at as one of the key events in Weirton’s rebuilding,” Adams said. 

Mayor Harold Miller pointed to the growth taking place along Park Drive, with the development of Form Energy, and other projects as being possible as a result of such an investment by the city. 

Joe Barnabei, speaking on behalf of the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission, offered praise to Weirton Utilities Director A.D. “Butch” Mastrantoni and the water employees, noting the work put into the project over the years, and thanked state Sen. Ryan Weld, R-Brooke, for his support in procuring the IJDC Overrun Program funds, which, he said, proved critical to completing the funding package. 

“This is a day to be thankful,” said Jesse Alden, project manager from the Thrasher Group, who explained the expansion project had to be put out to bid three times before it was awarded to Triton Construction in June. 

Alden also offered thanks to Ben Erste from BHJ, John Stump from Steptoe and Johnson, and Michael Griffith from Griffith and Associates, who have been part of the planning team. 

“We had to overcome a lot of obstacles to get here today,” Alden said. 

Marie Prezioso, executive director of the West Virginia Water Development Authority, recalled being contacted by Mastrantoni in 2019 about the possibility of a $1.3 million design loan. 

“Never in my life did I think it would become a $44 million project,” she said, noting approximately $21 million of the total came through state funds. “Weirton’s water project is one of the largest in the state.” 

Adam Ortiz, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Mid-Atlantic regional administrator, pointed to Weirton’s slogan of “Success in Unity.” 

“When we come together, we get things done,” he said, saying the EPA is proud to be able to contribute to projects such as this, which help to prepare communities for a better future. 

Comments also were offered by representatives of U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., and Gov. Jim Justice.