West Virginia could lose out on millions of dollars for drinking water and sewer systems under a Trump administration proposal to slash the federal funding for clean and drinking water programs in the state by 89%.
The two funds help states provide loans to communities at low or no interest to fund a variety of water quality infrastructure projects, including drinking water and sewer systems.
They are commonly known as revolving funds because repayments and interest go back into funding more projects.
In recent years, West Virginia regulators have increased efforts to address the state’s aging water and sewer infrastructure and expand access —- largely spurred on by “historic” investments in such projects by the Biden administration.
But that money is still just a little of what is needed.
It would cost about $1 billion to fix and update water systems for just the communities that have already requested funds, according to the 2023 Needs Assessment by the central funding authority for infrastructure projects throughout the state. Sixteen to 20 times that amount would be needed to meet all of the state’s water and sewer needs.
Trump’s proposed cuts could cost West Virginia a crucial pot of money at a time where the state is already struggling to meet the needs for drinking water and sewer systems.
“It would decimate the ability to do meaningful projects that need to be done, whether they are repair and replacement or expansion of service,” said Amy Swann, who sits on the board of the state’s Water Development Authority.
While the state has various pots of money that help fund water and sewer projects, the Clean and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds make up an “extremely significant portion” of that funding.
“I just don’t see a way that the state could make up that money,” she added.
The proposed cuts
In its budget for fiscal year 2026, the White House proposed cutting funding to the programs nationwide by nearly $2.5 billion, saying that states should “be responsible for funding their own water infrastructure projects.”
Such a cut would leave West Virginia with only a fraction of its previous funding levels.
For fiscal year 2025, the EPA has earmarked an initial $35.6 million for West Virginia through the two programs.
But under the proposed cut, the state’s annual funds for the programs could fall to under $4 million.
The loss in funding will feel especially harsh because money from the Biden administration’s 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act runs out at the end of 2026.
Senators from both parties have voiced concerns over the proposed cuts to the program that has often had bipartisan support.
“State revolving funds have helped many West Virginians, and many around the country, get connected with the water access and resources that they need,” said West Virginia’s Sen. Shelley Moore Capito in her opening remarks during last month’s hearing on the EPA’s budget request.
She told EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin that she hoped to work together to “make sure that adequate resources remain available to support our water systems.”
This proposal is part of a broader set of spending cuts to the EPA. Trump’s proposal includes eliminating the federal agency’s environmental justice program and cuts to its research and development office and hazardous superfund program.
While Trump has submitted his budget to Congress, his proposal is just a recommendation and lawmakers aren’t required to adopt it.
The future of West Virginia’s water infrastructure
Last week, Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced grants to three “critical” water and sewer projects, including $1 million for the Town of Bradshaw’s sewer project.
“Today, we are making an investment in West Virginia’s future,” Morrisey said. “Infrastructure projects like these are critical for the daily lives of our residents, and will help attract new residents, businesses, and jobs to the Mountain State.”
That $8.6 million project to address Bradshaw’s long-standing sewer system issues also received $2 million in funding through the Clean Water Revolving Fund — one of the programs facing steep cuts.
When asked about the proposed cuts, spokesperson Drew Galang said that the governor “is working to address years of mismanagement that led to the current need for water and sewer upgrades across the state.”
Although West Virginia has made some improvements in its water and sewer infrastructure in recent years, the need remains much larger than the resources available. And such a cut in federal funding could further exacerbate that.
“It just really takes a vulnerable state like we live in and increases that vulnerability one million percent,” Swann said.