Photo Provided From left are Carla Robinson, marketing manager, Veolia; Michael Pietropaoli, project manager, Veolia; Jim Vogt, Hughes River Water Board; Gary Haugh, Hughes River Water Board; Alan Haught, president, Hughes River Water Board; Conrad Baston, general manager of civil engineering, Antero Resources; and Kevin Ellis, vice president of government relations, Antero Resources.

HARRISVILLE — Antero Resources and its partner in the Antero Clearwater advanced treatment facility, Veolia Water Technologies, on Friday donated $72,640 to the Hughes River Water Board to fund the purchase, operation and maintenance of a new monitoring system at its Ritchie County water intake and treatment facility.

“We know that it’s a privilege to operate here, and understand the importance of working with local stakeholders who share our commitment to environmental protection, including the Hughes River Watershed,” said Al Schopp, Antero’s chief administrative officer and regional senior vice president.

“Antero appreciates the opportunity to make this contribution, which is squarely in line with our broader water management strategies, including Antero’s Clearwater facility as well as other investments and technologies aimed at further reducing our operational footprint and protecting our environment as well as the community,” Schopp said.

Antero and Veolia partnered to build and operate the $275 million Antero Clearwater facility, which was recently recognized as the Exponent Telegram’s “Private Project of the Year.” The facility is scheduled to begin operations during the second half of this year.

“We’re proud to partner with Antero in building this industry-leading world class water treatment and reuse facility,” said Klaus Andersen, CEO of Veolia Water Technologies Inc. “This investment reflects Veolia’s and Antero’s shared commitment to helping protect our environment, including local water resources for the broader communities of Ritchie County.”

The continuous monitoring technology will help ensure the quality of water upstream of an intake that serves the communities of Harrisville, Pennsboro, Ellenboro and Cairo, officials said.

“We’re grateful to have such committed partners in our community, like Antero and Veolia, and thank them for their generous investment and ongoing environmental protection-focused efforts,” said Hughes River Water Board president Alan Haught.

The water system donation follows a $1.5 million contribution that Antero recently made to the state Division of Highways to fund repairs and improvements along a nearly 9-mile stretch of state Route 74 in Ritchie County. In announcing Antero’s investment, Susan Fought, Oil & Gas coordinator for the WVDOH, said: “Antero has continually proven to be a responsible industry leader and their recent contribution confirms this commitment.”

Antero said it is the most active natural gas driller in Appalachia.