West Virginia American Water Receives Base Rate and Surcharge Orders from Public Service Commission of West Virginia
05 March 2024 - 8:36AM
Business Wire
Supports Needed Infrastructure investments of
$287 Million
The Public Service Commission of West Virginia (PSC) issued an
order late Friday, February 23 approving adjusted water and
wastewater rates for West Virginia American Water customers
following the company’s May 2023 request for a rate adjustment. The
order authorizes an additional $18.4 million in revenue, driven by
over $220 million in completed infrastructure investments made
since 2020, including upgrades to water mains, treatment plants,
tanks, valves, booster stations and other infrastructure necessary
to maintain and improve water quality, service reliability and fire
protection.
The new base rates are effective as of February 25, 2024, and
follow a 300-day statutory review of the company’s rate request. As
part of the request, the company sought to establish tiered rates
for certain low-income customers following the federal poverty
level guidelines; however, the PSC denied that proposal. The PSC
did expand the 2018 reduced rates for low-income customers to those
at or below 200% of the federal poverty rate, and the company will
work to stand up that program and provide customers with further
details as soon as practicable.
On Friday, March 1, the company also received an order for its
June 2023 Distribution System Improvement Charge (DSIC) request for
additional annualized revenues. The $5.9 million order included the
company’s first approved Wastewater System Improvement Charge
(WSIC). The surcharges became effective on March 1, 2024 and
include $67 million in system-wide upgrades that West Virginia
American Water will make across its water and wastewater systems in
2024.
“West Virginia American Water is committed to making needed
infrastructure improvements across our service areas so we can
continue to comply with water quality and environmental regulations
and meet customers’ water and wastewater service needs,” said
Robert Burton, president, West Virginia American Water. “In
addition, we will continue to remain focused on opportunities for
greater efficiencies to help maintain affordable rates.”
Residential water customers can expect to see an average
increase of approximately $8 per month, which includes the approved
adjusted rates and related system improvement charges. Wastewater
customers can expect to see an average increase of approximately
$12 per month. As the company continues to make calculations from
this order, the aforementioned increases are subject to change.
West Virginia American Water also wants to remind its customers
about several targeted customer assistance programs. Residential
customers have the option of paying bills under a budget billing
plan to have predictable monthly payments and avoid seasonal
spikes, and customers with past-due bills are offered flexible
payment arrangements through installment agreements.
The company also offers a reduced rate program that provides a
year-round 20 percent discount on residential water and wastewater
rates for low-income customers determined eligible by the West
Virginia Department of Human Services. Additionally, the company
helps fund the West Virginia Utility Assistance Program Dollar
Energy Fund, through which eligible customers can receive one-time
emergency grants applied directly to their water bills. Customers
can learn more about assistance options by calling 1-800-685-8660
or visiting the Customer Assistance Programs page on the company
website.
About American Water American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the
largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the
United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life
Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking
water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with
regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations.
American Water’s 6,500 talented professionals leverage their
significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to
achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees,
investors and other stakeholders. For more information, visit
amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and
Instagram.
About West Virginia American Water
West Virginia American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is
the largest regulated water utility in the state, providing
high-quality and reliable water services to approximately 600,000
people.
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Media Contact Bradley Harris External Affairs Manager
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