Evidence mounts suggesting health costs from WV lawmaker moves on data centers, water
News ClipCharleston Gazette-Mail·WV·3/14/2026
This article reports on actions taken by the West Virginia House of Delegates that undermine the state's drinking water quality, including rejecting a $10 million fund for water infrastructure upgrades in southern coalfield counties, passing a bill limiting backflow prevention inspections, and loosening regulations on aboveground storage tanks near public water intakes. The article highlights West Virginia's poor track record on drinking water quality, with the highest percentage of public water systems with health-based violations in the country. It argues these legislative moves will further strain the state's aging water infrastructure and water quality for thousands of residents.
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Gov: West Virginia House of Delegates, West Virginia Senate, West Virginia Department of Health, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
In a concerning development, the West Virginia House of Delegates made several moves that undermine the state's already poor drinking water quality. They rejected a proposal for a $10 million fund to improve water treatment and infrastructure in 13 southern counties, despite high rates of Safe Drinking Water Act violations. Additionally, they passed bills that would reduce the frequency of inspections for backflow prevention assemblies and loosen regulations on aboveground storage tanks near public water sources. These actions suggest potential health costs for West Virginians, especially those in impoverished coalfield communities, who already struggle with discolored, foul-smelling tap water.