WATER RATE REQUEST WV American Water Requests Rate Increase Of Nearly 20%
Reported by: Associated Press
Web Producer: Mamie Buoy
Reported: Dec. 15, 2012 10:50 AM EST
Updated: Dec. 17, 2012 10:20 AM EST
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Charleston
, Kanawha County
, West Virginia
West Virginia American Water customers may soon be shelling out more money for their water service.
The company has filed a request with the Public Service Commission to raise rates by almost 20%. They say the additional $24 million in revenue is needed to help pay for more than $85 million the company has spent to improve water lines and treatment plants since 2009.
If regulators approve the increase, the average customer will see their bill raise by almost $8.13 a month. It will also mean the company's rates have increased nearly 50% in the last five years.
"With the economy the way it is, I mean, the prices with everything, including worker's pay and everything is increasing," Timothy Baker of Charleston said. "So due to that I understand them raising the prices right now."
"I think that's a little too much for the people that's in recession in West Virginia and especially in the Charleston area because things are going higher and higher," Junior Parker of Charleston said.
Regulators have 10 months to review the request. Rates likely wouldn't take effect until October 10, 2013.
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Associated Press
