CHARLESTON â West Virginia American Waterâs request for water and wastewater rate increases has drawn the ire of local residents and officials.
The Kanawha County Commission and members of Charleston City Council are among those objecting to West Virginia Americanâs rate hike requests filed April 30 with state utility regulators.
The company is seeking an additional $40.8 million in annual revenue for water and wastewater operations combined, 26.1% more than the companyâs current rates.
County Commission President Kent Carper weighed in on West Virginia Americanâs request for the rate hike during the commissionâs meeting Thursday.
âIt is easy to sit here and complain as utility companies just recklessly, unfairly raise peopleâs rates,â Carper said. âBut in this case, itâs just true.â
CHARLESTON â West Virginia American Water has proposed water and wastewater rate increases that would result in a bill increase of $11.26 per month for the average residential water customer.
The largest investor-owned water utility in West Virginia filed rate requests with the stateâs utility regulators Friday seeking an additional $40.8 million in annual revenue for water and wastewater operations combined, 26.1% more than the companyâs current rates.
The average monthly residential sewer bill would jump from $54.14 to $71.84.
âThatâs a pretty substantial increase,â said Robert Williams, director of the Consumer Advocate Division of the state Public Service Commission, an independent arm of the commission that represents the interests of utility customers.
West Virginia American Water seeks rate increases By
May 1, 2021 - 10:05 am
CHARLESTON, W.Va. West Virginia American Water on Friday filed a request with the state Public Service Commission about increasing its water and wastewater rates.
The utility is proposing an increase which, if approved, would result in an average $11.26 monthly bill increase for residential customers using 3,100 gallons per month.
The utility is seeking the rate adjustment because of infrastructure needs.
“Since our last rate case, we will have invested $252 million in infrastructure upgrades, including replacing more than 48 miles of aging water and sewer pipelines and upgrading treatment facilities, storage tanks and pumping stations,” West Virginia American Water President Robert Burton said. “These infrastructure investments help ensure continued water quality, service reliability and fire protection for more than 545,000 people in 365 communities who depend on us every day.”
Today
Partly to mostly cloudy with scattered showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. High around 80F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%..
Tonight
Scattered thunderstorms in the evening, overcast overnight with occasional rain likely. Low 64F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Updated: April 28, 2021 @ 3:18 am