PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
OF WEST VIRGINIA
CHARLESTON
CASE NO. 21-0295-W-CN
TOWN OF PAX WATER DEPARTMENT
Application for a certificate of convenience and necessity to provide water services to residents of the described project area of Horse Creek, Town Creek and surrounding areas in the County of Fayette.
NOTICE OF FILING
On March 25, 2021, the Town of Pax Water Department (Town) filed a duly verified application for a certificate of convenience and necessity to provide water services to residents of the described project area of Horse Creek, Town Creek and surrounding areas in the County of Fayette.
The Town intends to construct a water line extension project along Horse Creek and Town Creek in or near the Town of Pax, Fayette County, West Virginia which will service approximately 28 new customers with water.
The application is on file with and available for public inspection at the Public Service Commission, 201 Brooks Street, in Charleston, West Virginia.
The Town estimates that construction will cost approximately $885,000. It is proposed that the construction will be financed through a Rural Utilities Service Loan of $230,000 and a Rural Utilities Services Grant of $655,000.
The Town does not seek a rate increase in connection with this project and will continue to charge its existing rates for its customers, pursuant to its current water tariff on file with the Public Service Commission. The Town’s current rates were enacted and became effective on March 25, 2021, in accordance with the Public Service Commission’s rules for municipal rate change.
APPLICABILITY
Applicable within the entire territory served.
AVAILABILITY
Available for domestic, commercial, industrial (except unusual industrial waste) Water service.
RATES (Customers with a metered water supply)
Residential
$17.75 per 1,000 gallons
MINIMUM CHARGE (Customer with a metered water supply)
Each residential customer shall pay a minimum charge of $35.50 per month (Equivalent to 2,000 gallons of water usage)
DELAYED PAYMENT PENALTY
The above schedule is net. On all accounts not paid in full when due, ten percent(10%) will be added to the net current amount unpaid. This delayed payment penalty is not interest and is to be collected only once where it is appropriate.
RETURNED CHECKS CHARGE
$25.00
A serve charge equal to the actual bank fee assessed to the Water utility up to a maximum of $25.00 will be imposed upon any customers whose check for payment of charges is returned by the bank due to insufficient funds.
RECONNECTION CHARGE
$25.00
To be charged whenever the supply of water is turned off for violations of the rules, nonpayment of bills, or fraudulent use of water.
TAP FEE
A tap fee of $400.00 will be charged to customers applying for service outside of a certificate proceeding before the Commission for each new tap to the system.
LEAK ADJUSTMENT
$4.38 per 1,000 gallons is to be used when a bill reflects unusual water consumption which can be attributed to eligible leakage on the customer’s side of meter. This rate shall be applied to all such unusual consumption above the customer’s historical average usage.
SECURITY DEPOSIT
A deposit not to exceed one-sixth (1/6) of the annual estimated charge for the residential service or fifty dollars ($50.00), whichever is greater or one-sixth (1/6) of the annual estimated charge for commercial service.
Theses rates represent the following project-related increases that became effective pursuant to municipal ordinance.
($) INCREASE $4.10
(%) INCREASE 30%
The Town has no resale customers.
The rate increase related to the project will produce approximately $64,208 annually in additional revenue, an increase of 30%. These increases have been enacted by City Council following municipal ordinance procedures and can be challenged only through a proper petition as set forth in W. Va. Code ยง24-2-4b.
The increases shown are based on averages of all customers in the indicated class. Individual customers may receive increases that re greater or less than average.
Anyone desiring to protest or intervene in this Certificate proceeding should file a written protest or request to intervene within thirty (30) days following the date of this publication unless otherwise modified by Commission order. Failure to timely protest or request to intervene can affect your right to protest aspects of this certificate case, including any associated rate increases, or to participate in future proceedings. All protests or requests to intervene should briefly state the reason for the protest or request to intervene. Requests to intervene must comply with the rules on intervention set forth in the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure. All protests and requests to intervene should be addressed to Connie Graley, Executive Secretary, P.O. Box 812, Charleston, West Virginia 25323.
In the absence of substantial protest received within said thirty (30) day period, the Commission may waive formal hearing and render its decision based on the evidence submitted with the application and its review thereof