Take Action: Comment Now on WV’s Water Protections

Loading....

Take Action: Comment Now on WV’s Water Protections

New changes to West Virginia’s water quality standards passed under House Bill 2233 are now going through the public comment process before going to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for approval. These proposed changes could open the door for more pollution in our streams and rivers, weaken protections for drinking water, and make it harder for local communities to protect public health.

The good news? You still have a chance to make your voice heard. WVDEP is accepting public comments right now on these three critical rules:

Water Quality Standards (47 CSR 02)
NPDES Program (47 CSR 10)
Underground Injection Control (47 CSR 13)

These rules shape how pollution is regulated statewide. If we don’t speak up, West Virginians could face higher drinking water treatment costs, new threats to public health, and polluted streams where people fish, swim, and gather.

We’ve made it easy — take action today by sending your comments to WVDEP before June 30. Your voice can help protect clean water for future generations.

You might be thinking: Didn’t I already comment on these rules earlier this year?
Yes — you did! Many of you contacted state decision-makers about House Bill 2233 during the 2025 Legislative Session.

Here’s where we are in the process now: HB 2233 passed with a committee substitute that hadn't gone through the public process required by the Clean Water Act. Now, WVDEP is going back through the public comment process for changes to water quality standards passed in the committee substitute for HB 2233.

That’s what we’re commenting on right now — how these new rules will affect our rivers, streams, and drinking water sources across the state.

It’s an important step, and public input at this stage can still influence the outcome when they go to the EPA for approval. Thank you for staying engaged!

How to Submit Your Comment:

Please note: There are two separate letters and two different targets for these comments:

Water Quality Standards (47 CSR 02) comments will be sent to Dawn Newell.
NPDES Program (47 CSR 10) and Underground Injection Control (47 CSR 13) comments will be sent to Yogesh Patel.

After you fill out the form, you will be directed to the comment itself. You MUST complete the second step and click submit for your comment to be delivered.

If you have any questions about this process, please contact us at wvrivers@wvrivers.org.

Fill out this form, click "Take Action," then customize your two letters to WVDEP for more impact.

First Name*

Last Name*

Email Address*

Address, line 1*

City*

State*

Zip Code*

Cell Phone

Yes, I would like to receive urgent calls to action on water quality via text message.
Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies depending on activity. Text HELP for customer care. Text STOP to opt out at any time. View the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

Take Action

Organization Name
Org Address Line 1
Org City, Org State Org Zip

Get in touch! Org Email or Org Phone

Dawn Newell, WVDEP

Subject: Comments on the Following Changes to Legislative Rules: Requirements Governing Water Quality Standards (47 CSR 02)

Message:

As someone who cares deeply about clean, safe water for West Virginia, I am writing to oppose the weakening of West Virginia’s Water Quality Standards (47 CSR 02). West Virginia has a long-standing practice of applying Category A protections to most surface waters, ensuring that current and future drinking water sources are protected. Creating a process to remove these protections, as proposed by House Bill 2233, would allow more pollution in our streams and rivers, placing the burden of costly treatment on local water utilities and threatening the health of our communities. We know that water flows downstream. Removing Category A protections for certain streams does not stop that pollution from eventually reaching drinking water supplies. These changes jeopardize our access to safe drinking water and could hinder future economic development by making it harder for businesses to relocate to areas with clean, abundant water. I urge WVDEP to: + Maintain Category A protections for all surface waters as future drinking water sources. + Clearly explain the criteria for any proposed removal of Category A protections. + Account for downstream impacts on public water systems. + Ensure robust public involvement in all decisions regarding Category A removals. Please put the health of West Virginians and the future of our water resources first. Thank you for considering my comments.

Characters remaining:

Yogesh Patel, WVDEP

Subject: Comments on the Following Changes to Legislative Rules: National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Program (47 CSR 10) and Underground Injection Control (47 CSR 13)

Message:

As someone who cares deeply about West Virginia, I am writing in opposition to the proposed changes to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program (47 CSR 10) and Underground Injection Control rules (47 CSR 13). The proposed changes to 47 CSR 10 violate the Clean Water Act and undermine critical public protections. Specifically: + The proposed timeline for NPDES permit renewal (210 days before permit expiration) does not allow for the most current pollution data to be considered. This limits meaningful public input and oversight. + The allowance for modification of expired or extended permits is not in compliance with EPA requirements. + The lack of clarity around “indirect dischargers” and how cumulative pollution impacts will be addressed is highly concerning. West Virginians cannot afford regulatory loopholes that put our rivers, streams, and public health at risk. These proposed changes would weaken protections, hinder accountability, and send the wrong message about our state’s commitment to clean and healthy water. I urge WVDEP to reject these changes and uphold strong permit requirements for pollution discharges in West Virginia. The Underground Injection Control rules (47 CSR 13) allow carbon dioxide (CO2) to be injected underground, endangering the health and safety of nearby communities. + Injected CO2 should not be injected near abandoned gas wells to prevent uncontrolled releases. + Inhalation of increased levels of CO2 can cause adverse effects on the respiratory, cardiovascular, and central nervous systems. + Require CO2 monitoring at all Class 6 injection sites to protect public health. + Review Class 6 UIC permits annually and revoke permits for wells found to be leaking CO2. Thank you for considering my comments.

Characters remaining:

Organization Name
Org Address Line 1
Org City, Org State Org Zip

Get in touch! Org Email or Org Phone

Take Action: Comment Now on WV’s Water Protections

Sorry, we're not targeting any representatives in your district. But, you can still help!

The comment period for this document is now closed. But, you can still help!

Take Action: Comment Now on WV’s Water Protections

Sorry, we're not targeting any representatives in your district. But, you can still help!

The comment period for this document is now closed. But, you can still help!

Your messages have been sent!