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Introduced Version - Originating in Committee
« Senate Concurrent Resolution 7 History
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Key: Green = existing Code. Red = new code to be enacted
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 7
(By Senators Roberts, Fuller, Hamilton, Tarr, Thorne, Weld, and Woodrum )
[Originating in the Committee on the Workforce; reported March 9, 2026]
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the ongoing water crisis affecting the southern counties of West Virginia, with particular attention to McDowell County and Wyoming County.
Whereas, Access to clean drinking water is essential to the health, welfare, and economic stability of the residents and businesses of West Virginia; and
Whereas, Residents and businesses in the state’s southern coalfield counties have long endured persistent problems relating to the quality, reliability, and safety of their drinking water systems; and
Whereas, These problems are particularly acute in McDowell and Wyoming Counties, where aging infrastructure, economic challenges, and environmental factors have contributed to longstanding concerns regarding water quality and system reliability; and
Whereas, Reports of contaminated water, discolored water, interruptions in service, and inadequate system maintenance have raised serious public health concerns and undermined public confidence in utilities serving the region; and
Whereas, Recent events have demonstrated that unforeseen or poorly understood sources of contamination, such as risks associated with the leaking of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and other liquids from distribution or service transformers of the sort that contaminated water systems in the Town of Wayne and Clear Fork in Wyoming County in January 2026, may threaten regional water systems; and
Whereas, The state must ensure that the infrastructure necessary to deliver safe drinking water, including treatment facilities, transmission lines, and monitoring systems, is modernized and appropriately maintained, and that the state’s regulatory agencies are fully and effectively exercising their powers to safeguard the public drinking water supply; and
Whereas, A comprehensive examination of the water crisis facing the state’s southern counties is necessary to ensure the continued viability of the region’s communities and people; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby requests the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study the ongoing water crisis affecting the southern counties of West Virginia, with particular attention to McDowell County and Wyoming County; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the study shall include, but not be limited to, an examination of the following:
(1) The underlying causes of the poor quality of drinking water provided to residents and businesses by utilities operating in the region;
(2) Unexpected or unforeseen sources of contamination that may be contributing, or could contribute in the future, to the degradation of the region’s drinking water and public waterways;
(3) A review of the condition of existing drinking water infrastructure in the region, including treatment facilities, distribution systems, and related infrastructure, and an assessment of the upgrades necessary to ensure the delivery of safe and reliable drinking water;
(4) Recommendations regarding how necessary infrastructure improvements should be prioritized in order to most effectively improve drinking water quality and reliability in the southern counties;
(5) An evaluation of whether the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and other state agencies responsible for environmental protection and drinking water oversight are sufficiently exercising their powers and responsibilities under state law to address the crisis;
(6) Identification of any actions that such agencies should take to better address the crisis; and
(7) Any other statutory or administrative changes that may be necessary to address the water crisis; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2027, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report, and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.
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