MORGANTOWN – Morgantown Utility Board recently received some good news in regard to the forthcoming Morgans Run water extension project.
It’s particularly good news for the 26 or so homes to be served by the $4.6 million project.
MUB General Manager Mike McNulty recently reported that West Virginia Infrastructure Jobs Development Council has upped the grant portion of the funds being provided from $500,000 to $1 million. Doing so significantly reduced the low-interest loan portion of the project’s funding to be repaid through a surcharge added to the water bills of customers who have committed to the project.
Residents in Cheat Lake’s Morgans Run, Lubbock Lane, Longhorn Lane, Rough Lane and Armstrong Drive area have spent more than a decade purchasing, collecting and hauling water due to low-producing wells plagued with high iron and manganese levels.
After two years spent lining up financing for the project, MUB announced in December that it was ready to move forward.
This latest development simply reduces the burden on the customer side.
“We have completed the binding commitment request. We’re working on final design and permitting and currently reaching out to property owners to confirm waterline locations for the project,” McNulty said. “A lot of things are coming together.”
The project will include the construction of 7,215 linear feet of eight-inch water main, 6,705 linear feet of six-inch water main, 2,655 linear feet of two-inch water main, the installation of five fire hydrants and the 26 residential service connections.
In addition to the IJDC grant and loan, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s Abandoned Mine Lands & Reclamation program is providing a $3.3 million grant for the work. Monongalia County Commission has pledged $52,000 to cover tap fees for the new additions and MUB is paying the remaining $29,420.
McNulty noted the efforts in Monongalia County, Charleston and Washington, D.C., that were needed to get the project financed.
“We all came together, got this project funded, and later on this year, we’re going to go to bid and make this a reality,” he said.
In other news, the West Virginia Public Service Commission has issued its final approval of MUB’s acquisition of the Star City water and sewer systems.
The utility board and Star City Town Council both voted unanimously in August to file a joint petition seeking PSC’s permission to execute an asset purchase agreement and an operations and maintenance agreement that will allow MUB to take ownership of the town’s water and sewer facilities and serve as the operational agent for its stormwater system.
MUB has recommended that water and sewer rates for Star City’s customers remain unchanged.
Under MUB, Star City’s rates will be set by Morgantown City Council, which will also be asked to sign off on the acquisition. McNulty said MUB leadership will present on the matter at Morgantown City Council’s January 27th committee of the whole meeting.
Lastly, the Morgantown Utility Board welcomed its newest member, Rich Brooks, and selected its 2026 officers during its most recent regular meeting.
Erik Carlson will serve as the board’s chairman, Tom Witt will serve as vice-chair, Sam Workman will act as secretary and Mark Downs will be treasurer.
