YOUR WATER RATES

West Virginia American Water 2023 Rate Filing

  • West Virginia American Water filed an application today with the Public Service Commission (PSC) to adjust its rates for water and wastewater service. The primary driver of the rate request is capital investment in system upgrades.
    This rate request reflects and is driven by approximately $340 million that we will have invested in system improvements to replace and upgrade aging infrastructure since 2020 and into 2025. These upgrades are necessary to maintain and improve water quality, service reliability, fire protection and customer service.

    In this filing, we are seeking to produce additional revenues through a base water rate increase of approximately $51.8 million per year and an additional base wastewater rate increase of approximately $470,000 per year, resulting in a 31 percent increase in water and wastewater rates from our previous rate order.

    For the average residential water customer using 3,000 gallons per month, this amounts to approximately $15 per month or $0.51 per day after factoring in the Distribution System Improvement Charge (DSIC) currently on customer bills. For the average residential wastewater customer using 3,000 gallons per month, the increase is approximately $19 per month or $0.65 per day.
  • We have worked diligently to keep operating expenses in line with inflation for the past 10 years.
    We are being good stewards of our customers’ water and wastewater payments by controlling costs.
  • Tap water is still a great value.
    Even with the proposed increase, the cost of potable water delivered around the clock is about two pennies per gallon. Our water service is quite affordable when you consider that all of your water needs for drinking, cooking, cleaning and washing are provided for about $2 per day.
  • Rates are set by the Public Service Commission of West Virginia.
    Our company submits extensive data documenting the actual cost of providing water service. That data is scrutinized by the PSC in an open and thorough 10-month process that provides for public input. New rates would not be effective prior to February 25, 2024.
  • We offer programs to help our most vulnerable customers.
    The rate filing proposes a new Low-Income Tariff that would grant an additional 15 to 65 percent discount for customers most in need based on the federal poverty level scale. This discount would be provided in addition to the WVDHHR 20 percent discount program, as well as our other customer assistance offerings. Residential customers have the option of paying bills under our budget billing plan to have predictable monthly payments and avoid seasonal spikes. We also offer customers flexible payment arrangements through installment agreements. Finally, we help 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.

 

Water service rates are based on the real costs of treating and delivering water to customers and are regulated by state public utilities commissions. In West Virginia, rates are determined by the Public Service Commission of West Virginia (PSC).

To determine rates, we work with PSC staff to study costs of construction, maintenance, operation, administration and financing. Once the studies are complete, the company, PSC staff and other involved parties present their conclusions before the Public Service Commission. The Commission considers the information presented and enters an order setting water rates as it sees fit. 

Rates charged for service may vary based on a customer’s meter size. All customers pay the same rate for water usage. Customers are billed based on a regular meter reading, either monthly or quarterly for residential customers as well as for commercial and other public authority customers.

Rates can vary based on the cost of providing service in each of the communities we serve. Before it reaches your home or business, water is treated through an intricate treating and testing process to help ensure it meets or surpasses rigorous drinking water quality standards.

You can learn more about the rate setting process in our white paper: Challenges In The Water Industry: The Rate Approval Process.


West Virginia American Water Rates at a Glance

Minimum charge: Minimum charges are based according to the size of each meter installed. For customers with multiple meter settings, the minimum charge will be the sum of the minimum charges for each of the individual meters. The minimum charge is based on 1,500 gallons. Usage above 1,500 gallons is calculated by the rates listed below.

  • 3/4 inch meter or less*  -  $36.41 per month
  • 1 inch meter  -  $89.16 per month
  • 1-1/2 inch meter   -  $177.09 per month
  • 2 inch meter  -  $282.70 per month
  • 3 inch meter  -  $529.02 per month
  • 4 inch meter  -  $880.90 per month
  • 6 inch meter  -  $1,760.65 per month
  • 8 inch meter  -  $2,816.35 per month

*Residential customers are served through 5/8" meters.

Volumetric Charge: Based on the number of gallons used.

  • First 1,500 gallons used per month at the minimum charge (based on meter size - see above)
  • Next 28,500 gallons used per month  -  $16.1472 per 1,000 gallons
  • Next 870,000 gallons used per month  -  $10.6158 per 1,000 gallons
  • Next 8,100,000 gallons used per month  -  $7.7315 per 1,000 gallons
  • All over 9,000,000 gallons used per month  -  $4.9389 per 1,000 gallons

Rates may vary for some municipalities and qualifying low-income customers. The tariff sheets linked below provide full rate details for all customers.

Distribution System Improvement Charge (DSIC)

The Public Service Commission of West Virginia has authorized a Distribution System Improvement Charge (DSIC) for West Virginia American Water customers, which is a 1.62 percent surcharge on monthly bills (approximately $1.01 for the average residential customer). This charge is reflected on your bill as a separate line item called “Distribution System Improvement Charge" and funds water system improvement projects that enhance service reliability, water quality and fire protection. The DSIC does not apply to wholesale customers under contract or to public fire accounts.

Sewer Rates for Fayetteville Wastewater Customers

Minimum charge: $53.51

Volumetric Charge: Based on the number of gallons of water used.

  • First 2,500 gallons used per month $21.4040 per 1,000 gallons
  • All over 2,500 gallons used per month $18.2378 per 1,000 gallons

Rates may vary for qualifying low-income customers. The tariff sheets linked below provide full rate details for all customers.

Water Rates for Bluefield Valley Water Works Customers

Minimum charge: $25.62 for the first 2,000 gallons (for a standard residential 5/8” meter)

Volumetric Charge: Based on the number of gallons of water used beyond the first 2,000 gallons at $8.2802 per 1,000 gallons.

View the full Bluefield Valley Water Works rate sheet here.

More Information on West Virginia American Water Rates

Download a copy of West Virginia American Water's current Water Service tariff sheet and Wastewater Service tariff sheet.