Congresswoman Carol Miller Secures Funding for Clean Drinking Water Initiatives in West Virginia

Strategic Insights -

Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) and Congressman Riley Moore (R-WV) have been working tirelessly to address the issue of clean drinking water in West Virginia, particularly in communities such as Wyoming County and McDowell County, where many residents struggle to access this basic necessity. Their efforts have led to the passage of an amendment to the House Interior Committee's Fiscal Year 2026 Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which directs the EPA to provide information on the resources available to assist states and counties with high prevalence of drinking water violations. This move is a significant step towards finding real solutions to the water crisis in the Southern Coalfields.

Key Takeaways:

  • Congresswoman Carol Miller has secured over $3.4 million in funding for clean drinking water initiatives in West Virginia since Fiscal Year 2022, specifically targeting communities in Wyoming and McDowell Counties.
  • The amendment passed by Miller and Congressman Riley Moore directs the EPA to provide information on the resources available to assist states and counties with high prevalence of drinking water violations.
  • The communities of Wyoming and McDowell Counties have struggled with accessing clean drinking water, with some residents frequently facing doubts about their ability to provide basic needs such as clean drinking water for their children.
  • Congresswoman Miller has requested $750,000 for the removal of a Combined Sewer Overflow in Welch, WV to comply with the Clean Water Act and improve the quality of life for 868 residential and commercial customers in McDowell County.
  • The town of Pineville's Brenton/Baileysville Waterline Extension Project, secured by Miller in Fiscal Year 2024, will provide water service to approximately 254 customers in Wyoming County.
  • Congresswoman Miller secured $1,750,000 for the construction of a new sewer system in Davy, WV in Fiscal Year 2024, which will reduce pollution going into the Tug Fork River and eliminate health hazards for the community in McDowell County.
  • The Wyoming County Commission received $450,000 from Miller in Fiscal Year 2023 to provide efficient, reliable, and safe public water to approximately 215 residents and businesses through the Hanover Waterline Extension Project.
  • In Fiscal Year 2022, Congresswoman Miller secured $495,840 for the DigDeep Right to Water Project in Welch, WV to provide sanitary septic and sewage service to 35 households and clean water for the community in McDowell County, WV.

Statistics:

  • Over $3,400,000 in funding secured by Congresswoman Miller since Fiscal Year 2022
  • 868 residential and commercial customers in McDowell County to benefit from the removal of a Combined Sewer Overflow in Welch, WV
  • 254 customers in Wyoming County to receive water service from the Pineville's Brenton/Baileysville Waterline Extension Project
  • 215 residents and businesses to benefit from the Hanover Waterline Extension Project in Wyoming County
  • 35 households to receive sanitary septic and sewage service from the DigDeep Right to Water Project in Welch, WV

Sources:

  • Congresswoman Carol Miller's office press release on passage of amendment to House Interior Committee's Fiscal Year 2026 Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Related Agencies Appropriations Act
  • InfoWest Virginia.com, West Virginia lawmakers working to bring clean drinking water to Wyoming, McDowell counties