Morrisey Announces Major Boost For Follansbee Water Upgrades

FOLLANSBEE -- A long-planned water system improvement project is set to get under way in the Follansbee area, with the official announcement made Monday by Gov. Patrick Morrisey.

Several dozen area residents, city and business officials gathered in the Follansbee Community House Monday afternoon to hear Morrisey officially announce the awarding of more than $1.8 million toward improvements at the Hooverson Heights water treatment plant.

"Reliable infrastructure is one of the fundamentals of a strong state," Morrisey said. "When families turn on the tap, they should have confidence their water system is dependable. By making these investments now, we’re strengthening our communities, supporting economic growth and addressing problems before they become emergencies."

The project is being funded through a $500,000 state grant from the West Virginia Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council, which is serving as a matching allotment, and $1.321 million in federal funds through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Under the project, which has been in the works since 2021, existing filter control valves will be replaced with modern automated systems, with backup controls also installed, along with new roofs on the four existing facility buildings.

Follansbee Mayor Scott McMahon noted planning for the upgrades has stretched over multiple municipal administrations, involving two mayors, numerous members of City Council and other city officials while coordinating with county, state and federal representatives.

"This grant enables us to start our project," he said. "We’ve finally gotten everything together."

Cattrell Companies will serve as the lead contractor for the project, which is expected to begin in either late August or early September and last approximately six months. Engineering services were provided by Ghosh Engineers.

McMahon emphasized this is one of two water improvement projects set to begin in the coming months in the city, referring to planned improvements at the downtown treatment plant.

Both projects, he said, have received support through the governor's office, as well as from state Sen. Ryan Weld, R-Brooke, state Sen. Laura Wakim Chapman, R-Ohio, and Del. Jimmy Willis, R-Brooke.

"The governor has been very good for Follansbee," McMahon said.

McMahon also emphasized much of it would not have been possible without work in recent years to improve the city water department's financial standing, which included rate increases.

Willis, who was in attendance along with Chapman and Del. Pat McGeehan, R-Hancock, also thanked Morrisey for the support, saying the city received a quick response to its request for aid. He explained Follansbee City Manager Chris Manack-Stover had reached out to him while in Charleston, and he referred the call to the governor's office.

"Within an hour, I was meeting with him and getting the ball rolling," Willis said.

Morrisey emphasized the matter of safety for the more than 3,200 customers served by the municipal water service, noting it is better to address concerns before there is an emergency than rely on temporary solutions.