WV HB5525

Creates the Southern West Virginia Clean Water Fund with $10 million appropriation to provide grants and low-interest loans for upgrading water treatment plants and replacing aging pipelines in 13 southern counties (Boone, Fayette, Greenbrier, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Monroe, Raleigh, Summers, Wayne, and Wyoming)

Requires public water systems to conduct quarterly testing for lead, bacteria, nitrates, and other contaminants, with results published within 30 days on a state website and mailed to residents

Mandates a comprehensive survey of lead service lines by 2027 and complete removal of all lead service lines by 2035, with financial assistance for low-income households

Establishes fines of $1,000 to $10,000 per violation for water utilities failing to meet contaminant standards, with repeat offenders subject to temporary state management

Requires the Department of Environmental Protection to update maximum contaminant levels every three years for lead, arsenic, PFAS, and other emerging contaminants based on current scientific research