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EPA funding will help reduce pollution in West Fork River

Release Date: 03/18/2009
Contact Information: Roy Seneca seneca.roy@epa.gov

PHILADELPHIA (March 18, 2009) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded a $866,000 grant to the city of Shinnston, W.V. to upgrade the city's sewage system and help prevent sewage overflows to the West Fork River.

"Old, inadequate sewer systems can be a major cause of water pollution in many communities. By supporting improvements to Shinnston’s treatment system, we can help protect the West Fork River and public health, said William T. Wisniewski, acting administrator for EPAs mid-Atlantic region.

Upgrades to the system will include replacing a sewage pump station and replacing portions of the combined sewer system in the city's downtown area with separate sanitary and storm sewers. The project will eliminate a majority of the stormwater entering the city’s sewer system during wet weather, which will reduce the frequency and duration of sewage overflows to the West Fork River, and reduce the volume of wastewater entering the treatment plant.

In addition, the city will upgrade its existing wastewater treatment plant to include a new belt filter press for sludge processing. The federally-funded project will improve operation at the treatment plant while saving energy and treatment costs.

Construction is expected to start in June and cost $4.5 million. The balance of the construction costs will be financed by a grant/loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For more information on sewage overflows, visit: https://www.epa.gov/reg3wapd/cso/index.htm .