CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Kanawha County commissioners are voicing strong opposition to a recently approved water rate increase for West Virginia American Water, arguing that residents haven’t seen commensurate improvements in service despite years of rising costs. The rate hike, approved by the West Virginia Public Service Commission (PSC), will see residential customers using 3,000 gallons per month pay approximately $6 more per month, and wastewater customers face an average increase of $7, beginning March 1, 2026. This latest decision follows a May 2025 request from the utility for a 27.9% increase, which would have added $60.5 million to its annual revenue.
The PSC ultimately approved a smaller increase, allocating $28.176 million for water and $4.537 million for wastewater revenue adjustments. However, county officials contend that even these approved increases aren’t justified given what they describe as a lack of tangible benefits for ratepayers. The core of the commission’s concern centers on a perceived disconnect between substantial investments made by West Virginia American Water and the continued prevalence of system issues, including water loss and boil water advisories.
Rising Rates, Persistent Problems
County Commission President Ben Salango highlighted the issue in a recent statement, pointing to over $322 million invested in capital improvements since 2016 through the Distribution System Improvement surcharge. Despite this significant investment, Salango noted that water lost through leaks, line breaks, and other system losses actually increased by 6.1% between 2021, and 2024. The number of boil water advisories issued during the same period rose by 42%. “That is deeply troubling and it raises real questions about whether ratepayers are getting the results they were promised,” Salango said.
The commission’s analysis also reveals a significant increase in the utility’s net income. 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 the number of active customers increased by only 1.6%. This disparity, commissioners argue, suggests that customers are bearing an undue burden of the utility’s financial success. Data from the PSC confirms these figures, showing a steady climb in net income over the past decade. The West Virginia Public Service Commission website provides access to filings and data related to utility rates and performance.
Impact on Residents
Commissioner Lance Wheeler emphasized the real-world impact of these incremental rate increases on families in Kanawha County. “This is about real people and real household budgets,” Wheeler stated. “For many families, another increase of six dollars here and seven dollars there is not minor. It adds up quickly, especially for seniors on fixed incomes and households already stretched thin.” He added that residents have seen their water bills more than double over the past two decades and are growing increasingly frustrated with the continued increases.
The concerns extend beyond the financial strain. Reliable access to clean water is a fundamental necessity, and frequent boil water advisories disrupt daily life and raise public health concerns. The commission’s critique isn’t a rejection of the need for infrastructure improvements, but rather a demand for greater accountability and transparency in how those improvements are funded and implemented.
Demanding Performance and Transparency
Commissioner Natalie Tennant called for the PSC to adopt stricter performance standards before approving future rate increases. “No one disputes the need to maintain water and wastewater infrastructure, but if families are expected to pay more year after year, the PSC should demand stronger performance standards before approving future increases,” Tennant said. She suggested tying future rate adjustments to measurable improvements in system reliability, reductions in water loss, and a decrease in the frequency of boil water advisories.
The Kanawha County Commission believes that a balance must be struck between ensuring dependable utility service and maintaining affordability for residents. They advocate for a system where rate increases are directly linked to demonstrable improvements in service quality, increased transparency in spending, and a fair distribution of costs. The commission plans to formally present its concerns to the PSC and advocate for a more rigorous review process for future rate requests.
The debate over water rates in Kanawha County reflects a broader national conversation about infrastructure investment and the affordability of essential services. As aging infrastructure across the country requires significant upgrades, communities are grappling with how to balance the need for improvements with the financial realities faced by residents. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides information on water infrastructure funding and assistance programs.
The next step in this process is a scheduled review of West Virginia American Water’s performance metrics by the PSC in the fall of 2026. The Kanawha County Commission intends to actively participate in this review, presenting its data and advocating for the changes it believes are necessary to protect ratepayers. Residents are encouraged to stay informed about this issue and to contact their county commissioners and the PSC to voice their concerns.
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