County Commissioners Speak Out Against Water Rate Increase 

Local leaders are pushing back on recently approved rate increases for water.  

Earlier this month the West Virginia Public Service Commission approved new higher rates for West Virginia American Water (WVAW). 

Effective March 1, 2026, residential water customers using 3,000 gallons per month will see their average bill increase by approximately $6 per month, and residential wastewater customers will see their average bill increase by approximately $7 per month. 

A previous analysis by West Virginia Public Broadcasting found that between 2005 and 2023, American Water customers have seen 14 rate increases.  

The utility argues the increases are necessary to support over $239 million in infrastructure investments and improvements across the state since the company’s last rate adjustment in 2024.  

“Continuing infrastructure investments across our service territory are vital for sustaining safe, clean, reliable, and affordable water and wastewater services for the communities we serve, as well as maintaining compliance with water quality and environmental regulations,” Scott Wyman, WVAW president said. “We strive to maintain a balance between continuous investment for needed system improvements and affordability for our customers, and this order allows us to continue to make necessary improvements for the longevity of the system.” 

West Virginia American Water is the largest regulated water utility in the state and provides water and wastewater services to approximately 610,000 people across more than 20 counties.   

Wednesday the Kanawha County Commission released a statement opposing the increases.  

Commission President Ben Salango is not impressed by the quality of the improvements. 

“The so-called Distribution System Improvement surcharge has reportedly funded more than $322 million in capital investments since 2016, yet water lost through leaks, line issues, meter problems, and other system losses increased by 6.1%, and boil water advisories increased by 42% from 2021 through 2024,” he said. “That is deeply troubling and it raises real questions about whether ratepayers are getting the results they were promised.”  

Salango said customers are being asked to carry too much of the financial burden while WVAW increases its profits. 

“From 2014 to 2024, West Virginia American Water’s net income grew from just under $8.5 million to more than $40.8 million, while its number of active customers increased by only 1.6%,” he said. “That is more than enough reason to question whether customers are being asked to carry too much of the burden.” 

Commissioner Lance Wheeler argued that small rate increases matter to a lot of West Virginians, especially those on fixed incomes. And commissioner Natalie Tennant said future increases should not be considered without stronger proof that the utility is delivering real results. 

Read the Kanawha County Commission’s full statement below: