PARKERSBURG — The Parkersburg Utility Board will receive $2 million in state grant funding for improvements to its water treatment plant, part of a larger funding package expected to cover nearly $25.7 million in upgrades.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced the funding through the West Virginia Water Development Authority’s Economic Enhancement Grant program. The program approved more than $17 million for infrastructure projects in Wood, Mason and Morgan counties.

The Parkersburg Utility Board grant will go toward improvements intended to expand treatment capabilities at the water treatment plant and address the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for PFAS in drinking water, according to the governor’s office.

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of chemicals that have been the subject of increasing federal drinking water regulations.

Parkersburg Utility Board General Manager Eric Bennett said the utility applied for the grant to help move the project forward.

“We applied for it to assist with getting the water treatment plant improvements out to bid,” Bennett said.

Bennett said the funding is for PFAS treatment work.

According to the governor’s office, the $2 million grant will be combined with money from the Drinking Water Technical Review Fund, contributions from Chemours and a contribution from the Parkersburg Utility Board. Together, the funding sources are expected to provide the $25,746,650 needed to complete the improvements.

Morrisey said infrastructure investments can affect whether projects move forward.

“Infrastructure is often the difference between a project moving forward and an opportunity being lost,” Morrisey said in the release. “These investments will help communities prepare for growth, support new housing development, strengthen public health protections, and ensure West Virginia is ready to compete for future investment.”

Other grants approved by the Water Development Authority include $14,435,000 for the Mason County Public Service District for a sewer line extension along State Route 817. The project is expected to support two residential developments.

The Warm Springs Public Service District in Morgan County was awarded $1 million for a sewer line extension to serve Senior Life Services of Morgan County and the surrounding area.

The three projects are intended to expand sewer and water infrastructure capacity in their communities, according to the governor’s office.