The Parkersburg Utility Board (PUB) approved its budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year on Tuesday while unveiling plans for a major filtration project aimed at improving the region’s water quality. The project targets the removal of harmful “forever chemicals” from the city’s drinking water.
The board unanimously passed the $17.48 million budget, which includes a 4.2% cost-of-living raise for utility employees—mirroring the adjustment given to other city workers. The budget also accounts for a 16% increase in health insurance premiums and a 6.5% rise in operating and maintenance costs.
“These increases are driven by rising expenses in payroll, benefits, chemicals, materials, and utility bills,” explained Comptroller Erin Hall after the meeting.
The newly approved budget lays the groundwork for a proposed sewer rate increase. If adopted by Parkersburg City Council, rates would go up by 18.47% over four years, beginning September 1. According to a budget memo, the increase is necessary to cover regular expenses, capital improvement projects, and debt service obligations.
A notable staffing addition is the hiring of a lead and copper technician in the water department, at an annual cost of $66,840 including benefits.
During the meeting, the board received a detailed presentation from Mike Davis of the engineering firm Burgess & Niple about a planned water filtration system. The initiative is designed to remove perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)—a type of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS), commonly known as a “forever chemical.”
These substances, once used in Teflon manufacturing at the nearby Washington Works plant, have been found to persist in local water supplies even though they were phased out years ago.
The filtration system will include 12 tanks, a new pumping station, and site improvements such as the relocation of the Parkersburg Police Department’s shooting range. The total projected cost of the project is $21.48 million.
“We hope to start advertising for construction bids by August, with completion targeted for 2027,” Davis said.
Mayor Tom Joyce, who chairs the PUB, reassured residents that this massive infrastructure project would not lead to higher utility rates. The project is funded through a principal forgiveness loan from the West Virginia Clean Water Revolving Fund. Additionally, negotiations are underway with Chemours, the company that took over the Washington Works plant from DuPont, to help fund the initiative.
Any contributions from Chemours would be used to repay the loan, PUB Manager Eric Bennett said, without incurring any financial penalties. Joyce also inquired about the availability of federal funds initially provided under the 2022 bipartisan infrastructure bill. Bennett confirmed that the funds remain accessible despite changes in federal administration.
In other business, the board approved the purchase of two new trucks from Matheny Motors. A half-ton pickup, costing $42,068, will replace a 2006 vehicle used for meter reading. While the board originally budgeted $33,000, Bennett noted that inflation has made it difficult to budget conservatively.
The second vehicle, a replacement for a 1996 maintenance truck, was moved up from next year’s budget due to a mechanical failure. Although a three-quarter-ton model was slightly cheaper at $47,996, the board opted for a 1-ton truck costing $49,392 because it was immediately available.
“With just a $1,400 difference and the truck ready now, it makes sense,” board member Mike Evans said.
With the budget in place and a high-impact water treatment project on the horizon, Parkersburg is positioning itself to meet both financial and environmental challenges in the coming years.
