West Virginia-American Water Company has asked the Public Service Commission of West Virginia to approve a 2-part water service increase to its 172,000 customers in Putnam and 21 other counties.

If approved, the proposed increase will become effective March 1, 2026. The water company proposes $46,376,033 in additional annual net water revenues over present rate revenues, or an overall increase in revenues of approximately 22.0 percent. The $46,376,033 increase in annual net water revenues consists of an increase in base rates of $58,935,579 and a decrease in distribution system improvement charges of $12,559,546 in annual revenue.

The utility proposes implementing the increase in two steps with first step rates effective on March 1, 2026, and the second step rates effective on March 1, 2027. The step 1 increase is approximately 15.1 percent over present rate revenues. The step 2 increase for water service is approximately 5.7 percent.

WV-American is further proposing a Universal Affordability Discount Tariff for water that includes multiple tiers of discounts based on different levels of household income stated as multiples of Federal Poverty Level (“FPL”). The driving principle behind the Company’s proposed Universal Affordability Discount Tariff is to provide all participating customers discounts such that the expected bill for basic water service will be no more than 3% of their annual household income. The maximum discount would be 60% for households earning 50% or less than the Federal Poverty Level. Households income 50%-100% of the FPL would receive 40% discounts. Discount of 30% and 15% would be available to households with incomes 100%-150% and 150%-200% of the FPL.

The proposed rate increase could impact the City of Hurricane as the city has a purchase contract with West Virginia American.

Anyone desiring to intervene should file on or before August 3, 2025 a Petition to Intervene complying with the PSC’s rules on intervention in the Rules of Practice and Procedure. Anyone desiring to protest is advised to file a written protest as soon as possible. All written protests should briefly state the reason for the protest. All protests and Petitions to Intervene should be addressed to Karen Buckley, Executive Secretary, Public Service Commission of West Virginia, P.O. Box 812, Charleston, West Virginia 25323.