West Virginia American Water is conducting ‘potholing’ operations to identify and replace lead and galvanized water lines in Charleston and Huntington.,The effort is in preparation for upcoming EPA regulations, with replacements to be covered by the utility if lead lines are found.West Virginia American Water is undertaking ‘potholing’ operations to identify and replace lead and certain galvanized water lines in the Charleston and Huntington areas. This project is part of the utility’s efforts to comply with forthcoming EPA regulations.
Crews are surveying the areas to locate water lines and determine their material composition. “We want to get about five feet away from the meter and expose what that water line is,” senior project engineer Levi Filsinger told MetroNews.
As part of the preparation for the new regulations, West Virginia American Water aims to identify any lines that require replacement to meet the guidelines. “Because of the EPA regulation, by 2037, if it does happen to be lead or require replacement because it was downstream of lead and it’s galvanized, which is the GRR, in that situation, American Water would actually pay to have the water line replaced,” Filsinger stated.
The utility posts public notices seven days in advance of commencing work in any given area. Residents who prefer not to have crews dig in their yards can arrange for an internal inspection. “If we’re in the area, and we put up our flyers a week ahead, and you don’t want us to dig in the yard, come out and talk to our crew. We’ll send a team of two in, and they can identify the water main inside, but they have to be able to get to the point where it enters the house,” Filsinger explained.
American Water is prioritizing work within the public right-of-way. If disputes arise regarding access, alternative solutions will be sought. “If somebody has an objection to our being there or being there right there at the border between public property and private property, by all means, talk to our crews. We won’t dig, but eventually we do have to identify those service lines,” Filsinger added.
Potholing operations are currently concentrated in older sections of the water system where lead lines are more likely to exist. However, Filsinger noted, “We are focusing on older areas that we think there’s the potential for lead, but to be completely honest, we’ve been doing this for three weeks now, and we haven’t found any lead.”
Potholing activities by West Virginia American Water are scheduled to continue into 2026, with the goal of completing any necessary replacements in 2027.
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