CITIZEN STAFF REPORT
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced $9.5 million Friday in Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) grant funding for five water and sewer infrastructure projects in Mingo and McDowell counties, including $1.26 million to replace the Town of Kermit’s failing water storage tank.
Kermit’s 110,000-gallon tank developed multiple perforations and was flagged by the state health department as being at risk of rupturing, according to Mayor Charles Sparks, who reported the issue in January 2024.
The grant will fund construction of a new 125,000-gallon storage facility.
“Water and sewer systems may not be flashy, but they are essential,” Morrisey said in a press release. “If you cannot deliver clean drinking water or safely manage wastewater, you cannot attract jobs, build homes, or grow your economy. West Virginia is ready to grow, and that starts with strong fundamentals.”
The projects were selected through coordination with state agencies and are located near mine sites in Mingo and McDowell counties that closed before 1977, meeting AMLER program requirements.
In addition to Kermit’s tank replacement, funding was awarded for four other projects:
Town of Davy Sewer Project — $2.75 million to construct the town’s first centralized wastewater system, eliminating raw sewage discharges and replacing failing septic systems.
Jolo Waterline Extension Project — $2.014 million to install more than 60,000 feet of new waterline, providing reliable drinking water to 119 new connections, including five businesses.
City of Gary Sewer Upgrade Project — $1 million to strengthen the existing sewer system and protect reclaimed subsidence sites within city limits.
Elkhorn Creek Water Project — $2.5 million to extend public water service to 280 customers, including Ashland Resort, churches, and area businesses, while supporting planned sewer expansion efforts in Ashland and Crumpler.
SENTRY flood warning pilot proposed
Alongside the infrastructure announcement, Morrisey also unveiled a proposed statewide flood warning pilot program ahead of the one-year anniversary of the deadly McDowell County flood.
The governor introduced SENTRY — the Smart Environmental Notification Threat Response System, a 36-month, $10 million pilot initiative aimed at improving flood prediction and emergency response.
“On Sunday, we remember the lives lost one year ago in the devastating flood that struck McDowell County and forever changed that community,” Morrisey said. “As we honor those we lost, we are also focused on protecting our communities in the future.”
Unlike traditional stream gauges, which measure rising water levels only after flooding is underway, SENTRY would combine rain gauges, soil-saturation sensors, wind data, and stream monitoring with artificial intelligence-driven modeling.
State officials said the system is designed to forecast elevated flood risk one to six hours in advance, with a target accuracy exceeding 90%, providing earlier alerts and more time for residents to reach safety.