Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
The search for water leaks is underway in the Town of Wayne.
The effort follows Gov. Patrick Morrisey's Water Listening Tour earlier this month. Morrisey said Wayne water customers lose 70% of their water daily due to leaks.
A crew from West Virginia American Water is meticulously moving through the Town of Wayne with specialized equipment designed to detect water leaks. The sounds they hear help determine the size and severity of the leak.
Amanda Alverson said she has lost confidence in the town's water system.
"We have old water lines," Alverson said. "It seems like a daily occurrence. Finding them here, finding them there. It's discouraging in some ways because once they find them, the water gets shut off. There are boil-water alerts. It kind of interrupts life."
"West Virginia American Water is paying our crew members to be out here and we are in ongoing communication with the governor's office to determine the next step," West Virginia American Water External Affairs Lead Olivia Bailey said.
The two-member team listens for the sound of water leaks. They then document each find, determine how much water is being lost and estimate the cost of repairs. So far, 19 leaks have been identified.
"Leaks and main breaks can happen at any time and anywhere in the system because a lot of factors can cause them," Bailey said.
Next week, the crew will conduct leak detection efforts in the Crum and Fort Gay communities of Wayne County.
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The search for water leaks is underway in the Town of Wayne.
The effort follows Gov. Patrick Morrisey's Water Listening Tour earlier this month. Morrisey said Wayne water customers lose 70% of their water daily due to leaks.
A crew from West Virginia American Water is meticulously moving through the Town of Wayne with specialized equipment designed to detect water leaks. The sounds they hear help determine the size and severity of the leak.
Amanda Alverson said she has lost confidence in the town's water system.
"We have old water lines," Alverson said. "It seems like a daily occurrence. Finding them here, finding them there. It's discouraging in some ways because once they find them, the water gets shut off. There are boil-water alerts. It kind of interrupts life."
"West Virginia American Water is paying our crew members to be out here and we are in ongoing communication with the governor's office to determine the next step," West Virginia American Water External Affairs Lead Olivia Bailey said.
The two-member team listens for the sound of water leaks. They then document each find, determine how much water is being lost and estimate the cost of repairs. So far, 19 leaks have been identified.
"Leaks and main breaks can happen at any time and anywhere in the system because a lot of factors can cause them," Bailey said.
Next week, the crew will conduct leak detection efforts in the Crum and Fort Gay communities of Wayne County.
_________________________________________
Follow WCHS on social media:
Facebook: facebook.com/eyewitnessnewscharleston
Twitter: twitter.com/wchs8fox11
Instagram: instagram.com/wchs8fox11
For the latest local and national news, visit our website: wchstv.com
Sign up for our newsletter: wchstv.com/sign-up
