Environmental Finance Center, EPA Region 3, University of Maryland

Berkeley County, West Virginia



Location

Berkeley County is located in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia, about 65 miles northwest of Washington, D.C.

Water Supply

The Berkeley County Public Service Water District serves 12,210 customers, or 37% of the county’s 76,000 residents. Ninety percent of the system’s customers are residential. The system treats one billion gallons of water per year, and contains 250 miles of pipeline. The Berkeley County Public Service Water District is comprised of five treatment plants. There is one surface water system located on the Potomac River, three spring-fed sources and one deep-water well. In addition, future sources will include a privately owned spring-fed quarry. The City of Martinsburg Public Water System serves approximately 6,000 residents. The system operates two spring-fed intakes, each located outside the City’s boundaries in Berkeley County.

Source Water Assessment

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (WVDHHR) is charged with conducting source water assessments in the state. Berkeley County was considered the best choice for this project.

Local Team

  • The task force had broad community representation and members had a positive working relationship and a high level of trust. The Phase I Committee was charged with identifying drinking water sources within Berkeley County, contamination sources, stakeholders, leaders and the assembly of the Drinking Water Task Force.
  • The Phase II Committee was run by elected co-chairs– Bill Stubblefield from the Berkeley County Public Service Water District, and Lavonne Paden of the Berkeley County Planning Commission.
  • The plan has been presented to the County Commission, and work has begun to implement certain components of the plan.
Priority Contamination Threats

  • A study of wells in the karst areas of the county found fecal coliform and Escherichia coli in 30% and 32% respectively.
  • In karst, ground water recharge is rapid and occurs indirectly by infiltration of precipitation and directly through sinkholes and streams – making drinking water systems susceptible to many forms of contamination.
Protection Measures

Berkeley County’s source water protection plan includes a list of management measures for the community to implement to reduce the risk of contamination. They include:
  • The creation of a Water Resources Advisory Council to assist the county with issues related to source water protection.
  • An education an doutreach campaign targeted to residents.
  • Improved management of septic systems.
  • Improved sewer line maintenance.
  • Higher standards for stormwater management.
  • Increased enforcement of existing regulations.
 Environmental Finance Advisory Board
EPA Environmental Finance Program
EPA Region 6 Drinking Water Program