Weirton begins $44 million expansion of its water treatment plant | News, Sports, Jobs
Photo by: Craig Howell
U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., speaks with Weirton City Councilmen Fred Marsh, center, and Terry Weigel on Tuesday during the ceremonial groundbreaking for a $44 million water treatment plant expansion. Capito, who served as the event’s keynote speaker, worked with U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., to secure $22.4 million in congressionally mandated funds for the project.
An expansion project designed to provide more growth opportunities in Weirton is officially underway.
On Tuesday, Weirton Area Water Board staff, along with local, state and federal officials and other guests, attended a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the plan to double the capacity of the city’s water treatment plant.
“This sets the course for Weirton, not just for today but for generations to come,” said U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), who served as keynote speaker at the event.
The $44 million project is the culmination of more than seven years of planning and design work and will increase the plant’s treatment capacity from the current 4 million gallons per day to 8 million gallons per day, officials say, helping to better serve current and future residents and businesses.
Funding includes $22.47 million in congressionally mandated funds channeled through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a $14.7 million loan from the West Virginia Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council, a $5.6 million grant from the West Virginia Governor’s Office, $1 million from the West Virginia Water Development Authority, $200,000 from the Weirton Council, $165,000 from the IJDC Overrun Program, and $100,000 from the Water Board.
“This is where your tax money comes back to you,” Capito said.
Construction work on the sewage treatment plant extension is expected to be completed in March 2026.
Weirton City Manager Mike Adams served as master of ceremonies and said the investment is one of the largest ever made for a project of its kind in West Virginia history, breaking a record $37 million for the Weirton Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion project just a few months ago, according to reports.
“This will be seen as one of the key events in the rebuilding of Weirton,” Adams said.
Mayor Harold Miller noted that growth along Park Drive with the development of Form Energy and other projects is made possible by such an investment by the city.
Joe Barnabei, speaking on behalf of the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission, praised Weirton Utilities Director AD “Butch” Mastrantoni and the water staff, highlighted the work that has gone into the project over the years, and thanked State Senator Ryan Weld (R-Brooke) for his assistance in obtaining the IJDC Overrun Program funds, which he said were critical to completing the funding package.
“Today is a day to be thankful,” said Jesse Alden, project manager for Thrasher Group, explaining that the expansion project had to be bid out three times before it was awarded to Triton Construction in June.
Alden also thanked Ben Erste of BHJ, John Stump of Steptoe and Johnson and Michael Griffith of Griffith and Associates, who were part of the planning team.
“We had to overcome many obstacles to get here today,” Alden said.
Marie Prezioso, executive director of the West Virginia Water Development Authority, recalled being contacted by Mastrantoni in 2019 about the possibility of a $1.3 million design loan.
“Never in my life did I think this would become a $44 million project,” she said, noting that about $21 million of the total came from state funds. “Weirton’s water project is one of the largest in the state.”
Adam Ortiz, regional director for the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, referred to Weirton’s slogan “Success through unity.”
“When we come together, we can get things done,” he said, adding that the EPA is proud to contribute to projects like this one that help prepare communities for a better future.
Representatives of U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (IW.Va.) and Governor Jim Justice also made comments.
