WEIRTON — One of the major areas of concern when it comes to updating Weirton’s water distribution system has been sections of lines near Municipal Plaza.

At the end of January, crews with the Weirton Area Water Board were called to Walnut Street following a major water line break which resulted in low water pressure or, in some instances, no water, for portions of the city’s downtown.

Breaks in the 12-inch main line there in December 2024 were among the contributing factors to the water issues that winter which led to city-wide water conservation and boil orders investigated last year by the West Virginia Public Service Commission.

Jesse Alden, project manager from the Thrasher Group, explained during Thursday’s meeting of the Weirton Area Water Board officials have submitted an application for funding from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to focus on that portion of the downtown distribution system, which is fed from the Lee Avenue reservoir.

“We’re kind of in a holding pattern,” Alden explained, noting they are waiting for a decision from the federal government before moving forward on the project.

Alden said it is his understanding the application will be up for review by the Army Corps sometime in the coming months.

“It’s submitted and in the docket,” he said. “We’re just kind of waiting to hear from the funding agency before determining our next step.”

It was the second time in as many years that the Water Board has made such an application.

Utilities Director A.D. “Butch” Mastrantoni, during a board meeting last May, explained a previous application for $4.34 million had been made in August 2024, and denied in October 2024, for the same project.

Another option which has been discussed by the board to fund the project would be through a Distribution System Improvement Charge program offered through the West Virginia Public Service Commission.

Under such a program, water customers would be required to pay an additional monthly surcharge to fund the project. Once the project is completed, the surcharge would be dropped.

Mastrantoni explained, at the time, the approach is similar to funding plans used by West Virginia American Water in support of its system improvement projects.

While the idea was broached last year, it has not been part of any major public discussions for several months.