Pure, clean water is essential for life. Because water is abundant in West Virginia, we have been slow to recognize the threats to the safe water we need for drinking, for wildlife habitat and for outdoor recreation.
This came home to us in 2014 when chemicals from above-ground tanks owned by Freedom Industries leaked into the Elk River above Charleston, polluting the drinking water for 300,000 West Virginians in 9 counties.
The threats to our pure water are many, including failing municipal waste treatment plants, industrial pollution, agricultural runoff, and urban stormwater runoff.
The West Virginia Legislature has seemed reluctant to address these threats. We plan to change that.
Read the Study on the Impact of Pipeline Construction on Streams by Trout Unlimited and West Virginia Rivers»
Our Pure Water Platform
We support the passage of the Clean Drinking Water Act.
We support legislation that will create a funding mechanism from fees paid by drilling companies for both preventing and plugging abandoned or orphan gas and oil wells.
We support a new regulatory approach to pipeline construction that would require stream by stream crossing plans, enhanced best management practices on sensitive waters such as wild trout streams, and substantially increase fines for permit violations.
2025 Pure Water Bills – Coming Soon
SB 583
Establishing economic incentives for data centers to locate within state
This bill creates economic incentives for data centers to locate within the state and incentivizes the centers torely on locally sourced coal generated electricity. The bill also provides an exemption from the B&O tax for all coal-generated electricity sold to qualifying data centers and provides a sales tax exemption for all personal property sold to and used in the construction or maintenance of a qualifying data center.
Sponsors: Randy Smith
CWV Position: Opposes
Status: Introduced on 2/24/25 and referred to the Senate Committee on Economic Development; and then to Senate Committee on Finance]
SB161
Providing water filtration equipment to residents whose water is deemed unsafe
This bill addresses water quality concerns affecting residents of WV by requiring the Department of Health to assess whether public water sources contain harmful levels of contaminants. Further, the DOH would provide water filtration equipment or technology to residents with unsafe water and establish provisions for rulemaking.
Sponsors: Laura Chapman
CWV Position:
Status: Introduced on 2/12/25 and referred to Senate Committee on Natural Resources; and then to Senate Committee on Finance
SB 592
Relating generally to above ground storage tanks
This bill removes the requirement for certified inspectors to assess oil and gas waste tanks, exempting over 700 tanks located closest to drinking water sources.
Sponsors: Patrick Martin
CWV Position: Opposes
Status: Introduced on 2/25/25 and referred to Senate Committee on Energy, Industry, and Mining.
HB 3025
Relating to a State Water Resources Management Plan
This bill sets reporting requirements for underground water extracted in growth counties. Further, it directs the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to oversee the development of a comprehensive water management plan, considering factors such as surface and groundwater resources, water withdrawals, and infrastructure needs. The bill also requires large water users to report their monthly water withdrawals annually to the DEP.
Sponsors: Joe Funkhouser
CWV Position: Supports
Status: Introduced 2/27/25; referred to the House Committee on Energy and Public Works
