W. Va. Code § 8-19-8
Unless the governing body shall otherwise determine in the ordinance or order authorizing the issuance of bonds under this article, there shall be and there is hereby created and granted a statutory mortgage lien upon the waterworks or electric power system so acquired, constructed, established, equipped, extended or improved from the proceeds of bonds hereby authorized to be issued, which shall exist in favor of the holder of said bonds and each of them, and to and in favor of the holder of the coupons attached to said bonds, and such waterworks or electric power system shall remain subject to such statutory mortgage lien until payment in full of the principal of and interest upon said bonds.
Any municipality or county commission in acquiring an existing waterworks system or in improving an existing waterworks or electric power system may provide that financing therefor may be made by issuing revenue bonds and delivering the same at such prices as may be agreed upon within the limitations prescribed in section six of this article. Any revenue bonds so issued to provide financing for such existing waterworks or electric power system or for any improvements to an existing waterworks or electric power system may be secured by a mortgage or deed of trust upon and security interest in the property so acquired or improved or any other interest of the municipality or county commission in property related thereto as determined by the municipality or county commission in the ordinance or order authorizing the issuance of such revenue bonds; and in such event the holders thereof shall have, in addition to any other remedies and rights prescribed by this article, such remedies and rights as may now or hereafter exist in law in the case of mortgages or deeds of trust on real property and security interests in personal property. Such mortgage or deed of trust, upon its recordation, shall have priority over all other liens or encumbrances, however created or arising, on the property covered by such mortgage or deed of trust, to the same extent and for the same amount as if the municipality or county were obligated to pay the full amount secured by such mortgage or deed of trust immediately upon the recordation of such mortgage or deed of trust and remained so obligated until the obligations secured are fully discharged.
W. Va. Code § 8-19-8