BUCKHANNON – The Adrian Public Service District will at last be able to start the Phase VIII water system expansion improvement project.

That’s thanks to a $4.9 million Water and Waste Disposal Loan and a $3.8 million grant to the Adrian Public Service District, as well as donations from the Randolph County Commission and Board of Education.

Lindsey Woody, office manager at Adrian PSD, said the project will make the public water available to several additional areas within the PSD boundary, enabling them to serve approximately 105 potential customers in Upshur County.

The project will also extend water to the community of Pickens and into Randolph County, to serve another approximately 103 potential customers.

“This project also includes existing system improvements and upgrades, which have become necessary due to the water systems tremendous growth, since its initial group of customers that came online in 1989,” Woody said. “There are 10 separate water line extensions proposed to serve areas within the boundaries of the PSD, and the community of Pickens in Randolph County where the existing residents have requested public water service from the PSD.”

She said the main need for this extension is to service Pickens School.

“The school currently uses well water and must have its own water operator on staff to provide an adequate supply of water during school hours, so the PSD’s proposal to extend water to Pickens would be the only possible way for the school to have adequate supply of potable water from this public utility,” Woody said. “In support of this project, the Randolph County Commission has graciously donated $25,000 towards this project and the Randolph County Board of Education has donated $15,000, which is very much appreciated.”

W.Va. State Director for USDA Rural Development Kris Warner said he was honored to announce a $4.9 million Water and Waste Disposal Loan as well as a $3.8 million grant to the Adrian Public Service District, to help the PSD reach a total of almost 6,000 customers.

“It’s a pleasure to be here in Upshur County and be a part of this continuing partnership,” Warner said. “It’s a partnership that is not only between the Adrian PSD and USDA Rural Development, but it’s a partnership, between the Adrian PSD and Randolph County and I don’t know that I’ve ever seen that before, where a public service district in one county recognizes the need in another county and they cross the county line to be able to provide and take care of a need on the other side of the county lines.”

Randolph County Commissioner Mark Scott said this project was something he has thought about since 2016, when a resident of Pickens told him several residents would lose their water during dry spells.
“We’re proud to be able to provide the donation we provided, we’re so thankful the Board of Education also saw fit to give a donation,” Scott said. “From the bottom of our hearts, from my fellow commissioners, thank you very much for all that you’re doing for us.”

Todd Gunter, a representative from Senator Shelley Moore Capito’s office, read a letter from the senator, expressing how proud she was to see federal money benefit West Virginia.

“As your United States senator and as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I’m always proud to see federal tax dollars returned to our state and as the chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Transportation Infrastructure subcommittee, I’m especially pleased that this funding will go towards the vital waterline extension and provide safe and reliable water to my fellow West Virginians,” Gunter read.

Rhett Dusenbury, district representative for Congressman Alex Mooney read a letter from the congressman, showing his support for the project.

“As a member of Congress, I’m proud to vote to make these funds available, and I will always help West Virginia infrastructure when possible,” Dusenbury said. “Again, thank you for all you do for the systems of Upshur and Randolph County and most of all, for making the effort to build a better quality of life. I commend you on a job well done, and I’m always ready to assist you in your endeavors.”