West Virginia officials have announced a combined $11.73 million in funding for wastewater infrastructure improvements in Fort Gay and Moundsville.

The larger project, a $7.3 million investment in Fort Gay, will comprehensively rehabilitate the town's wastewater system and construct a new extended aeration wastewater treatment plant. The project is expected to serve approximately 356 customers in Wayne County.

Funding for the Fort Gay project includes $3.1 million recommended from the Appalachian Regional Commission, $2.5 million from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and $1.7 million from the West Virginia Water Development Authority Economic Enhancement Grant Fund. The project area is located within an ARC-designated distressed census tract.

In Moundsville, the state is committing $4.43 million through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund to modernize the city's wastewater system. The project will repair and replace aging, leaky sewer mains and upgrade equipment at the wastewater treatment plant.

Moundsville has experienced storm-related system overloads as rainwater enters its aging sewer network, according to the state's announcement. The resulting overflows have discharged untreated wastewater into Middle Grave Creek, Grave Creek and the Ohio River.

Both projects are intended to address aging wastewater infrastructure and improve collection and treatment system reliability.