Parkersburg residents will have the opportunity to voice their opinions on a major water filtration project at the upcoming Parkersburg Utility Board (PUB) meeting scheduled for Tuesday.
The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. at the utility’s offices located off 19th Street and will include a public comment session regarding the planned construction of a filtration system designed to remove “forever chemicals” from the city’s drinking water.
This public comment session is one of the first items on the board’s agenda and is a requirement tied to the West Virginia Clean Water Revolving Fund. The PUB is seeking financial assistance from the fund to help cover a portion of the estimated $21 million needed for the project.
At the heart of the proposed improvements is the installation of a granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration system. This advanced system will target contaminants like perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), also known as C8. These substances are part of a larger group of chemicals commonly referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their resistance to breaking down in the environment.
PFOA was heavily used in the production of Teflon at the Washington Works plant south of Parkersburg, a facility formerly owned by DuPont and now operated by Chemours.
Although its use has been phased out, remnants of the chemical continue to be found in local water sources. Studies have linked PFOA exposure to serious health issues, including thyroid disease and birth defects.
While the Parkersburg Utility Board has monitored PFOA levels for years, the concentrations did not initially meet the thresholds required for federal intervention or support under previous guidelines.
However, that changed in 2024 when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established a new, significantly stricter limit of just 4 parts per trillion in drinking water. The PUB’s new filtration initiative is in direct response to this updated federal standard.
PUB Manager Eric Bennett said the project is nearly ready to move forward. “Design is, we’re going to say, 98% complete,” Bennett noted. “We’ve got what should be the final review with the engineer next week. And then if everything goes right, we should be moving forward in the very near future.”
Bennett also mentioned ongoing discussions with Chemours regarding their financial contribution to the project. He indicated that while nothing has been finalized, a large portion of the funding is expected to come from Chemours and the State Revolving Fund. The utility hopes to receive support through principal forgiveness loans, which would reduce the amount the PUB must repay.
The $21 million cost also includes the recent relocation of the Parkersburg Police Department’s shooting range, which was necessary to clear the way for construction of the new filtration system.
Residents interested in learning more about the project or voicing their concerns and support are encouraged to attend Tuesday’s meeting. With health and safety at the forefront, the PUB’s proposed project represents a critical step toward ensuring cleaner, safer water for the Parkersburg community.
