WV water funding low for southern coalfields, reliant on expiring federal support

If you live in southern West Virginia, you’re less likely to live as long as other West Virginians. You’re also less likely to have been the beneficiary of a public water or sewer system investment from the Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s administration. The seven counties with the lowest life expectancies in West Virginia in 2025 were all in the southern coalfields, ranging from 65.5 to 68.9 years – well below the state average of 72.4, according to National Center for Health Statistics data.