PADEN CITY, W.Va. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) visited the Paden City Water Department where she toured the facility and met with staff. Since 2015, Senator Capito has worked with federal partners such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to prioritize drinking water infrastructure in Paden City, and has secured over $10 million in federal funding to assist with water and waste water challenges in the area.

“Ensuring access to reliable, clean drinking water is essential. For years, I have worked with local leaders in Paden City to connect the city with the federal resources they need to provide safe drinking water and improve waste water service. Since 2015, I have worked hard to secure USDA Rural Development funds for Paden City, and those efforts continue. When I became the Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee this year, I made it a priority to advocate for additional support for waste water improvements in Paden City, and I was thrilled to see additional investments to support Paden City and others through the USACE Work Plan for FY21. Having the opportunity to see the department today and the progress of construction on new water tanks is the culmination of years of hard work between local, state, and federal leaders, and I am glad to have played a part in these efforts,” Senator Capito said.  

Federal awards that Senator Capito has secured for Paden City:

  • In 2019, Senator Capito announced $500,000 in emergency funding from the USDA to help the city deal with water treatment issues directly tied to PCE contamination from a dry cleaning facility.
  • In 2020, Senator Capito announced a $5.165 million grant from USDA to restore water storage tanks, replace damaged pipelines, and improve the current distribution system.
  • In 2021, Senator Capito helped secured $1.525 million in funding from the USACE’s FY21 Work Plan to finalize Paden City’s sewer project. This funding was made possible through the USACE’s Section 219 program, one of the three environmental infrastructure authorities specific to West Virginia that Senator Capito has championed. 

Photos from today’s tour and visits:

 

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Senator Capito tour the Paden City Water Department

 

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Senator Capito with Paden City’s Director of Public Works Josh Billiter and Mayor Rick Casteel

 

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Senator Capito reads the sign detailing the history of Paden City

 

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Senator Capito with members of the Paden City Police Department

 

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