A planned multimillion-dollar project is Wheeling's progressive approach to improvements in technology and more stringent environmental standards, a city official said.

The city's Water Department will be testing out a new filtration system over the next six months on a small scale.

If the new filtration system works as planned, the city will begin a $30 million to $35 million project to replace much of the outdated water treatment plant.

"The city meets all the water quality standards and testing standards. The water is very safe and it's excellent water, but what we're doing is planning for the future to make sure the next generation has good, clean and safe drinking water," City Manager Bob Herron said.

Herron said the upgrade will mean an increase in customers' water rates, though he couldn't provide an estimate of how much.

He said there are also still parts of the water treatment system that are just as old and still work but need to be replaced, as evidenced in numerous water pipes bursting in recent months.

The new membrane filtration system the city is working toward is becoming the standard for water treatment, Herron said. Wheeling will be one of the first cities along the Ohio River to implement the technology.

Moundsville previously went to the new filtration system, the Water Department's supervisor said.

Stay with NEWS9 and WTOV9.com for continuing coverage.