Miller, Moore Release Statement on Amendment to Help Wyoming and McDowell County Water Issues

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) released the following joint statement with Congressman Riley Moore (R-WV) on the passage of their amendment to the House Interior Committee's Fiscal Year 2026 Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. This amendment directs the EPA to provide information on the resources it has available to assist states and counties with a high prevalence of violations of drinking water regulations, such as Wyoming and McDowell Counties in southern West Virginia.

"Clean drinking water is a necessity, but tragically, some communities in West Virginia struggle to access this basic need. Our amendment that passed the House Appropriations Committee today will help us identify and deliver real solutions to this water crisis in the Southern Coalfields. No parent should ever have to wonder how they're going to ensure their kids have water to drink or bathe in. We are committed to doing everything in our power to help these communities dealing with this terrible situation."

Background

• On July 22, the House Appropriations Committee advanced the Fiscal Year 2026 Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Related Agencies Appropriations Act through Committee. The bill will now be considered on the House floor.
• The Act included language to direct the EPA to provide information on the resources it has available to assist states and counties with a high prevalence of violations of drinking water regulations, specifically counties such as Wyoming County and McDowell County in southern West Virginia.
• This amendment builds upon Congresswoman Miller's work to bring clean drinking water to Wyoming and McDowell Counties.
• In Fiscal Year 2026, Congresswoman Miller requested $750,000 to remove a Combined Sewer Overflow in Welch, WV, allowing for compliance with the Clean Water Act and improving the quality of life for 868 residential and commercial customers in McDowell County.
• In Fiscal Year 2025, Congresswoman Miller requested $750,000 to remove a Combined Sewer Overflow in Welch, WV.
• In Fiscal Year 2024, Congresswoman Miller secured $750,000 for the town of Pineville's Brenton/Baileysville Waterline Extension Project that will provide water service to approximately 254 customers in Wyoming County.
• In Fiscal Year 2024, Congresswoman Miller secured $1,750,000 for the construction of a new sewer system in Davy, WV that will cut pollution going into the Tug Fork River and eliminate health hazards for the community in McDowell County.
• In Fiscal Year 2023, Congresswoman Miller secured $450,000 for the Wyoming County Commission to provide efficient, reliable, and safe public water to approximately 215 residents and businesses through the Hanover Waterline Extension Project.
• In Fiscal Year 2022, Congresswoman Miller secured $495,840 for the DigDeep Right to Water Project in Welch, WV that will provide sanitary septic and sewage service to 35 households and also provide clean water for the community in McDowell County, WV.
• Information for all Community Project Funding and Member Designated Funding requests can be found here.

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