The Southern West Virginia Clean Water Fund Act of 2026 aims to improve drinking water quality and infrastructure in the counties of Boone, Fayette, Greenbrier, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Monroe, Raleigh, Summers, Wayne, and Wyoming. The bill establishes enhanced water quality standards that meet or exceed federal guidelines, updates maximum contaminant levels every three years, and mandates the implementation of advanced water filtration systems by water utilities. It also creates the Southern West Virginia Clean Water Fund to provide financial assistance for upgrading water treatment facilities and replacing aging pipelines, with a focus on rural and underserved communities.

Additionally, the Act requires public water systems to conduct quarterly testing for contaminants and report results to residents and the public within specified timeframes. It imposes monetary penalties for noncompliance, including fines for violations of maximum contaminant levels and potential state intervention for repeat offenders. The legislation includes a lead pipe replacement initiative, which mandates a survey of lead service lines and provides financial assistance to low-income households for replacement. The Legislature is tasked with appropriating $10 million to support these initiatives, with the potential for additional federal and private funding.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 22-37-1, 22-37-2, 22-37-3, 22-37-4, 22-37-5, 22-37-6, 22-37-7, 22-37-8, 22-37-9