Consumer Alert: WV American Water proposed 20% rate hike

AARP West Virginia is encouraging West Virginia American Water (WVAWC) customers to speak out against a proposed 20 percent water rate hike, which will adversely impact an estimated 250,000 West Virginia families.

In its December, 2012 rate filing with the West Virginia Public Service Commission (PSC), WVAWC cited increased levels of plant investment, rate of return, operating expenses and lower customer usage as the reasons for implementing $24 million in increased rates and charges for customers. West Virginia American Water is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state. Residential customers would see a monthly bill - based upon 4,500 gallons usage - increase by $10.49 per month, a 20.77 percent increase, from $50.50 to $60.99. 

According to West Virginia American Water officials, the utility's current residential average usage per month is 3,315 gallons. Under the current average usage, monthly bills would increase by $8.13 per month, from $39.11 to $47.24.

In addition to its 171,000 customers, WVAWC’s proposed rate increase will directly or indirectly affect customers of various public service districts and municipal water systems including: Boone County Public Service District and the Town of Danville, both in Boone County; Cumberland Road Public Service District, Lashmeet Public Service District, and Oakvale Road Public Service District. all in Mercer County; Kanawha County Regional Development Authority; Lewis County Economic Development Authority; Jumping Branch-Nimitz Public Service District in Summers County; New Haven Public Service District in Fayette County; the Putnam County Building Commission and Putnam-Union Public Service District, both in Putnam County; Salt Rock Water Public Service District in Cabell County; and Webster County Economic Development Authority.

The West Virginia PSC will host a series of four public hearings on this rate case (WV PSC Case Number 12-1649-W-42T), beginning June 11, 2013:

AARP encourages West Virginia American Water customers and other affected ratepayers to attend these hearings to express their concerns over this latest rate increase, or to submit public comment online at www.psc.state.wv.us or by mail: Public Service Commission of WV, 201 Brooks Street, PO Box 812, Charleston, WV 25323 (reference WV PSC Case Number 12-1649-W-42T). Evidentiary hearings in this case are set for July 8-11.

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AARP WV Media Contact: Tom Hunter, 304.340.4605, tphunter@aarp.org