CHARLESTON, WV (WCHS/WVAH) — West Virginia American Water customers will have to reach deeper into their pockets to pay their monthly bills if a proposed agreement is approved, but not as far as the company originally wanted, WCHS REPORTS
The company said in a news release that the company and the state Public Service Commission staff have a tentative agreement that would increase the average customer’s water bills by 14 percent, a monthly boost of $6.69.
West Virginia American Water said the PSC still must approve the proposed agreement filed late Friday afternoon.
Under the proposal, the company’s base wastewater rates for its Fayetteville and Winona sewer customers would increase by 17.4 percent, which amounts to a monthly increase of $7.49 for the average residential customer, West Virginia American Water said.
The company originally sought a hike of 24 percent for its customers. When the initial proposal was announced, West Virginia American Water said the actual impact for the average customer in the requested $32 million increase, when an existing distribution system improvement charge would be rolled into base rates and the surcharge reduced, would be 21 percent – $10.22 per month or 34 cents per day.
West Virginia American Water said under the proposed agreement, the company’s base water rates would increase by $23 million. Filed in April, the rate increase is necessary to maintain and improve water quality, service reliability and fire protection, the company said.
Kanawha County Commissioner Kent Carper has been outspoken previously in his opposition to the rate increase sought by West Virginia American Water.
