The West Virginia Public Service Commission is examining the issues surrounding the Weirton water crisis, according to documents filed by the PSC earlier this week.

According to the order, filed Monday, “The Commission opens a proceeding for the purpose of an examination of the recent water outages, low water pressure, and boil water advisories in the City of Weirton.”

The examination will look into potential causes of the water outages, as well as possible ways to prevent future large-scale issues.

The Weirton Area Water Board issued a conservation order Dec. 18 as a result of a series of water line breaks within the distribution system. A city-wide boil order followed Dec. 27 following a break in a 12-inch water line on Walnut Street.

Widespread boil orders were lifted Jan. 3, although a boil order for the Weirton Heights area of the city was issued from Jan. 23 to Feb. 6.

The water board announced Friday the citywide conservation order would remain in effect until at least March 14.

As of Feb. 13, crews had located and repaired 111 line breaks, according to water board officials.

“The Commission wishes to make it clear that this examination is not to be construed or described as a search for operating or maintenance errors for the pipe failures, reduced storage levels, and extensive water supply outages,” the order states. “Our hope for the outcome of this proceeding is not to point a finger or establish blame for the outages. Our purpose is to identify causes of the breaks and low storage levels and further identify possible preemptive actions that anticipate trouble areas and head off major main breaks before they occur. In addition, we hope to identify possible system improvements that might minimize the geographic areas impacted by main breaks and storage problems.

“We realize that types and locations of mains may make it difficult, if not impossible, to isolate smaller areas impacted by loss of water and low storage levels when there are main breaks. However, we hope to identify if system design could be economically reconfigured, or if the system could be operated in a way that would help to reduce the impact of major line breaks on customers. The Commission will also examine storage issues.”

Dan Guida, legal counsel for the Weirton Area Water Board, when contacted for comment Thursday, expressed optimism for the results of any examination of the water system performed by state officials.

“The board is confident once the Public Service Commission analyzes the situation, they’ll find there are no deficiencies in the system,” Guida said.

The PSC ordered the examination followed a request from Del. Pat McGeehan, R-Hancock, on Feb. 13.

Since Monday, there also have been comments from five residents to the PSC concerning the Weirton Area Water Board, with some expressing concern as to the oversight of the water system, the condition of the water, and requests to investigate the cause of the water crisis.

One comment was focused on $5 million granted by the West Virginia Water Development Authority to the College of St. Joseph the Worker, based in Steubenville. The Weirton Area Water Board was not involved in the funding decision.