BECKLEY, WV (WOAY) – The Beckley Water Company is highlighting construction projects it’s working on across its service area. The company says it shows its continued investment in the area as a controversial rate increase is set to take place.
Behind Crescent Elementary School on Witherspoon Street in Beckley, crews are replacing about 3,400 feet of water main across three streets. Beckley Water Company Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Stanley said the job cost is about $550,000.
“What this will do for the community is better service, more reliable service, more fire service,” Stanley said. “We’re adding two hydrants… it’s going to have more reliable service for the school as well.”
This work comes as customers have higher bills coming. Regulators approved a rate increase at half the Beckley Water Company’s original ask, which takes effect July 21. The Public Service Commission heard many complaints from the public over water quality, leaks and outages at an April hearing. Stanley said the investment is there, even when customers can’t see it.
“People see infrastructure as roads and bridges, things that are above ground,” Stanley said. “We are investing in the community. And this is just one example of many that they can physically see in their neighborhood.”
Another concern is how much water the system loses before it reaches customers. Stanley said projects like this are meant to change that.
“It’s not uncommon for a southern West Virginia water utility to have 25% water loss,” Stanley said. “The public service commission would like to see 15%. Infrastructure projects like the one behind us on Witherspoon will continue to show the investment and continue to bring that number down closer to the 15% the PSC would like to see.”
Crews will keep working through the summer construction season. Beckley Water Company says customers can track projects on an interactive map on its website. New service rates kick in July 21.
