Protecting West Virginia’s source water: A forest-first approach

Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, West Virginia’s lush forests play a critical role in safeguarding the state’s drinking water. Recognizing the interconnectedness of forests and water quality, West Virginia American Water (WVAW) spearheaded the formation of the West Virginia Forests & Drinking Water Partnership in 2021.

In the face of challenges such as deforestation, fragmented land ownership, climate change and limited control over their watersheds, WVAW needed a multi-faceted solution to protect its source water and deliver high quality drinking water. The utility identified the need to work collaboratively with partners, outside of the water sector as an essential component of its source water protection strategy.

The health of forests and watersheds is also a top priority in WVAW’s source water protection efforts.

“Forests provide the cleanest water of any land use to keep drinking water safe and reliable,” said Nick Kevey, manager of source water protection, WVAW. “Healthy, managed forests provide natural filtration of precipitation and storm runoff, resulting in cleaner water reaching drinking water treatment plants and healthy watersheds.”

“By bringing together drinking water and forestry professionals, we can work together in partnership to preserve and enhance areas that are essential for protecting our shared water bodies,” Kevey added.

Looking to the Southeastern Partnership for Forests and Water as a model, WVAW, WV Bureau of Public Health, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 3 initiated the West Virginia Forests & Drinking Water Partnership.

EPA Region 3 worked with West Virginia’s state source water program to identify federal, state and local partners and facilitate quarterly meetings to build relationships between the forestry and drinking water sector. These meetings increased mutual understanding of each other’s sectors and began conversations about what a formal partnership would look like.

The partnership’s initial focus centered on education and engagement. In 2022 and 2023, webinars and in-person forums educated partnership participants about the connection between forests and drinking water, generating interest in a statewide partnership. By 2024, the partnership’s stakeholders laid the foundation for the program’s structure, engagement and future funding strategies.

The non-profit Canaan Valley Institute (CVI), based in Davis, West Virgina, joined the partnership in 2023. CVI was instrumental in bringing the 2024 forum to Berkeley County, West Virginia, where forum participants visited local sites demonstrating a range of green infrastructure projects implemented by CVI and other members of the WV Partnership.

“Forests are effective green infrastructure and reduce water treatment costs,” said Gail Berrigan, CVI’s executive director. “In addition, planting trees along streams is an effective water quality practice in semi-rural and urban settings. Trees help stabilize stream banks, which prevents erosion, and increase infiltration, reducing polluted stormwater runoff.”

The goal of these forums is to bring together a diverse network of stakeholders and experts from the water, forestry, and conservation sectors to share knowledge, forge partnerships, and advance implementation projects. The Partnership is increasing collaboration throughout West Virginia and planting seeds for new projects focused on healthy forests and clean drinking water across the state.

The West Virginia Forests & Drinking Water Partnership has already made tangible progress. A key moment for the partnership occurred when the U.S. Forest Service Landscape Scale Restoration Grant provided a substantial award to the National Association of Conservation Districts. The grant supports projects across 13 states, including West Virginia, focusing on science-based forest restoration and water protection across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.

The program’s success is measured through a well-defined strategic plan with clear activities and timelines. While concrete data on water quality improvements is still being collected, the partnership’s expansion across the state and increased stakeholder engagement signify its growing impact. West Virginia’s vast forest cover plays a crucial role in filtering pollutants, and the partnership’s efforts reinforce these ecosystems’ ability to supply clean source water to treatment plants.

“The more partners you have that represent nonprofits, local, state, and federal agencies, water utilities, the better understanding of different perspectives and roles each partner can play,” said Jerry Dotson, source water specialist, West Virginia Rural Water Association. “It is important to have local partners within the partnership that can develop or have existing relationships with landowners so they can discuss the importance of maintaining a well-managed forest and the connection to drinking water.”

The partnership’s journey highlights key lessons for other regions facing similar challenges, emphasizing the importance of early funding, effective coordination, and the power of shared responsibility in source water protection.