Improvements being made to Weirton’s water system
WEIRTON — While much of the focus on Weirton’s water system in recent weeks has been to re-establish adequate levels of potable water after dozens of line breaks and other issues lead to city-wide conservation and boil orders, officials also want to assure residents work is being done to update the system for the future.
Utilities Director A.D. “Butch” Mastrantoni explained a plan has been in development for many years, to follow the ongoing upgrades to the Weirton water treatment plant, which got underway earlier this year.
“The second phase was always supposed to be distribution,” Mastrantoni said.
With a ceremonial groundbreaking held in August, the project at the treatment plant is slated to cost $44 million with a goal of expanding the treatment capacity of the plant from its current 4 million gallons of water per day to 8 million gallons of water per day.
“It’s like building a house,” City Manager Mike Adams said. “You have to build a foundation first.”
Funds included $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 from the West Virginia Governor’s Office, $1 million from the West Virginia Water Development Authority, $200,000 from Weirton Council, $100,000 from the Water Board and $165,000 from the IJDC Overrun Program.
Construction of the treatment plant expansion is slated for completion in March 2026.
In addition, in September 2023, the Water Board launched a five-year program aimed at replacing much of Weirton’s 2-inch water lines.
At the time, the board set aside $125,000, with additional funds to be designated each year.
According to Mastrantoni, in the 2024 calendar year, the Water Board was able to use those funds to replace 2-inch galvanized lines on five city streets.
Officials noted such issues with line breaks are not uncommon in the Ohio Valley, with several communities experiencing similar problems as a result of the age of the lines used in their distribution.
“We’re all about the same age and have the same problems,” Adams said.
Weirton’s recent issues, which include city-wide conservation and boil orders, have resulted from 51 line breaks occurring since Thanksgiving, according to Mastrantoni, along with challenges in restoring service levels in a timely manner.