Washington, D.C. (WVDN) – On March 17, 2026, the Taylor County Public Service District reached a major milestone as water flowed through a newly constructed temporary water main to the PSD’s treatment plant for the first time since May 2022. This temporary water main is a much-needed work around after the raw water main suffered catastrophic breaks that left the pipeline transporting water to the treatment plant inoperable.
The original breaks forced the PSD to rely on costly emergency pumps to maintain water service, placing a severe financial strain on the district and threatening its long-term viability. Following years of regulatory delays and stalled progress, Congressman Riley M. Moore worked directly with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and local stakeholders to help broker an agreement that moved the project forward.
A key turning point came on July 24, 2025, when representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Taylor County PSD, the Taylor County Commission, and the City of Grafton met at Congressman Moore’s Morgantown office to negotiate a preliminary agreement. That meeting ultimately led to the Memorandum of Understanding that cleared the way for construction of the emergency waterline.
The emergency waterline is expected to provide critical stability for the PSD while long-term infrastructure solutions continue to be evaluated and developed.
Congressman Riley M. Moore released the following statement:
“After years of delays and uncertainty, I’m proud we were able to bring everyone to the table to get this project moving. The people of Taylor County deserve reliable access to clean water, and this emergency line ensures the PSD can continue serving residents without the crushing financial burden caused by temporary pumping operations. I appreciate the Army Corps of Engineers, Taylor County PSD, the Taylor County Commission, and the City of Grafton for working together to get the job done.”
