$3.2 Million Funds Rural Well Water Filtration
Service providers and households in McDowell and Mingo counties can access testing and filter replacement once distribution begins.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Utilities
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West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey announced $3.2 million for water filtration for households in McDowell and Mingo counties that rely on private wells, springs, or cisterns. Distribution of the funds is expected to start in February, and the state is seeking a qualified organization to manage it for operators of private water systems and the service providers who test and treat them.
Why it matters
Extending public water lines to every rural home takes time, and some households are spending thousands of dollars a year on bottled water. Contamination in the region, including coliform bacteria found in 90% of wells and springs, has made interim filtration and testing a near-term priority for local households and the businesses that serve them.
The $3.2 million package is available to 5,000 homes in McDowell and Mingo counties, with $1.2 million from the federal Rural Health Transformation Program and $2 million from the governor's Civil Contingent Fund. Coliform bacteria has been found in 90% of wells and springs in the region, and heavy iron has caused staining in sinks, tubs, and laundry.
The players
Governor Patrick Morrisey
Governor of West Virginia, whose office controls the Civil Contingent Fund that supplies $2 million of the package.
West Virginia Department of Health
State agency responsible for public health programs, co-leading the selection of a manager for distribution and testing.
West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection
State regulator overseeing environmental and water quality, co-leading the selection of a manager for distribution and testing.
The details
The funds will pay for well testing, disinfection, filtration, and replacement filters for eligible households. The state Department of Health and Department of Environmental Protection are seeking a qualified organization to manage distribution and testing. The package combines a federal program with the governor's emergency contingency fund, so the money flows through state agencies to a contracted manager rather than directly to homeowners.
Timeline
Wednesday, November 4, 2026: Governor Morrisey announces the $3.2 million at a press conference.
August: Earlier progress on the initiative was made.
February: Distribution of funds is expected to start.
Market Landscape
Federal rural health money is being directed toward private-well water quality in West Virginia, a use that sits at the edge of conventional health spending. The approach mirrors the state's reliance on a mix of federal and state contingency funds to cover infrastructure gaps where public water lines have not reached rural homes.
Operators of private water testing, disinfection, and filtration services in McDowell and Mingo counties should watch for the state's request for a qualified manager, which will determine who handles contracted work. Households that rely on private wells may see new testing and filter replacement options once distribution begins, and businesses that depend on those water sources should plan for the timing.
The takeaway
Service providers who test and treat private wells should prepare to respond to the state's solicitation for a qualified distribution and testing manager. Calendar the projected February start date and monitor the Department of Health and Department of Environmental Protection for the selection announcement.
What happens next
Distribution of the funds is expected to begin in February, when the qualified organization is expected to be in place to start well testing and filtration for eligible households.
Further reading
For related coverage of how water and power providers operate in the state, see Utilities in West Virginia.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WOAY-TV.
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