CANNELTON HOLLOW, WV (WOAY) – Emergency repairs to sewer lines through Cannelton Hollow are expected to begin next week. The West Virginia DEP confirmed with WOAY that West Virginia American Water has been actively communicating and coordinating with them regarding corrective actions to address the damaged sewer infrastructure.
The DEP also stated they will continue working with the utility to facilitate necessary repairs while ensuring compliance with applicable state and federal environmental requirements.
West Virginia American Water provided the following statement to WOAY:
“West Virginia American Water is currently evaluating critical water and wastewater repairs for Kanawha Falls PSD. Beginning the week of October 19, the company plans to invest approximately $300,000 in immediate, emergency repairs to the lines along Cannelton Hollow, as well as repairs to the Rhinehart addition sewage lift station, which has operated without power since 2022. The company plans to invest an additional $600,000 in infrastructure improvements over the coming months. West Virginia American Water will continue providing emergency assistance, including leak detection and repairs, as we work toward a long-term solution for Kanawha Falls PSD and its customers.”
On October 9th, the West Virginia DEP re-issued Kanawha Falls Public Service District’s NPDES permit. This national pollutant discharge elimination system permit was up for renewal and is a regulatory tool created under the federal Clean Water Act to prohibit and control the discharge of pollutants from point sources into us waters.
The West Virginia DEP does have an active lawsuit against Kanawha Falls PSD in Fayette County Circuit Court for numerous wastewater violations. WOAY asked the DEP for their thought process for re-issuing the district’s NPDES permit while they are actively suing them. The DEP replied that their responsibility was not only to enforce environmental laws, but also to work toward achieving compliance and protecting water quality and that permitting and enforcement are separate but complementary regulatory responsibilities.
They continued, “From a practical standpoint, denying a permit does not, by itself, repair damaged sewer infrastructure, eliminate wastewater discharges, or restore reliable service to customers….any decision to reissue a permit must satisfy applicable state and federal regulatory requirements….WVDEP is actively pursuing enforcement against Kanawha Falls PSD while also coordinating with West Virginia American Water to facilitate necessary infrastructure repairs and address long standing wastewater issues. The proposed acquisition presents an opportunity to address these problems and bring the system into compliance”.
Page-Kincaid Public Service District is also included in the Fayette County Commission’s pending sale and the district’s chairman, Jim McCartney told WOAY that things have improved since the district signed the amended purchase agreement stating, “Things are running more smoothly and West Virginia American Water has assisted the district in resolving a handful of issues that we couldn’t have handled on our own.”
