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As the water conservation order in Weirton approaches the one-month mark, city officials note they share the frustrations of residents, but also expressed support for the employees of the Weirton Area Water Board.

The Weirton Area Water Board initially issued the conservation order on Dec. 18, following dozens of line breaks which drained the system.

A break in a 12-inch main along Walnut Street on Dec. 27 led to a citywide boil order which was fully lifted on Jan. 3.

“I understand folks’ frustration, but this has been a long battle,” said City Manager Mike Adams during Monday’s city council meeting.

There currently is no timetable for the conservation order to be lifted.

Adams explained much of the water issue is a combination of the cold, winter weather with the age of the city’s water distribution system.

The water board set aside $125,000 in September 2023 to begin a five-year program to replace many of Weirton’s two-inch water lines. Those funds were used to replace galvanized lines on five city streets during the 2024 calendar year, with funds set to be allocated each year toward additional line replacements.

Those efforts are in addition to the $44 million project designed to expand the water treatment plant to a capacity of 8 million gallons of water per day.

Adams applauded the work of Mastrantoni and the Water Board employees in working to repair each line break and address any related conditions.

“His workers have been out, 24 hours at a time, at times, dealing with these different issues,” Adams said.

Adams also expressed appreciation to Cleveland-Cliffs, which allowed the city to access its on-site water system in an effort to help replenish the city’s supply,