W.Va. American Water Asks To Double Monthly Surcharge For Improvement Projects

West Virginia American Water, one of the Mountain State’s largest regulated water utilities, has shared a $50 million plan for infrastructure upgrades in 2021. 

The plan, if approved by the West Virginia Public Service Commission, would increase a monthly  “distribution system improvement charge” to customers from roughly $1.60 now to a little more than $3 starting in January 2021.

American Water would pay for projects listed in the plan using these surcharges and its own capital as a national, publicly traded company. 

Some of those proposed costs include $12 million for water treatment plant upgrades, to keep up with new requirements from the federal government, and $8 million to help failing water systems that American Water has acquired. 

American Water acquired the former Boone-Raleigh Public Service District in August. Earlier this year American Water also took over water needs for the town of Glasgow, in Kanawha County. 

Emily Allen is a Report for America corps member.

CORRECTION: This article was changed at 8:20 p.m. to indicate the increase in monthly surcharges West Virginia American Water is requesting. They’re asking to increase monthly surcharges from roughly $1.60 now to roughly $3 in January 2021.