(Tariff Form 8)
PUBLIC NOTICE OF CHANGE IN WASTEWATER RATES
WEST VIRGINIA-AMERICAN WATER COMPANY
Notice is hereby given that WEST VIRGINIA-AMERICAN WATER COMPANY, a public utility, has filed with the PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION OF WEST VIRGINIA a tariff containing a requested increase in rates, tolls, and charges for furnishing wastewater service to approximately 1,100 customers in Fayette County.
The proposed increased rates and charges will become effective February 25, 2024, and will produce, on a total Company basis, $470,801 annually in additional wastewater revenues over present rate revenues, or an overall increase in revenues of approximately 24.9%, with such revenues being collected from the customers as more fully described herein. This increase includes an allocation of the wastewater revenue requirement to the water revenue requirement to support the same percentage increase in rates for both water and wastewater customers. Absent approval of the Company’s wastewater to water revenue requirement allocation, the annual wastewater revenue increase is $3,280,265, or an overall increase in revenues of approximately 173.6%. The Company is further proposing a new set of low income tariffs, and other rate mechanisms, the impacts of which are reflected in the rate increase schedule below.
The Company’s proposed low income tariff for water and wastewater service that includes multiple tiers of discounts based on different levels of household income stated as multiples of Federal Poverty Level (“FPL”). The driving principle behind the Company’s proposed low income tariff is to provide all participating customers discounts such that the expected bill for basic water or wastewater service will be no more than 3% of their annual household income. The proposed tariff discounts are as follows:
(%)
Low Income Tariff Discount Discount
0%-50% Federal Poverty Level 65%
50%-100% Federal Poverty Level 50%
100%-150% Federal Poverty Level 30%
150%-200% Federal Poverty Level 15%
The Company expects that the Commission will order the suspension of the new rates and charges for the full 300-day suspension period under W. Va. Code ยง24-2-4a, or until February 25, 2024.
The following schedule shows the change from rates currently in effect based on representative levels of consumption and the monthly dollar and percentage changes if the full rate increase, including revenue requirement allocation and low income tariffs, are granted.
WEST VIRGINIA
AVERAGE CUSTOMER ($) %
PER CLASS INCREASE INCREASE
Residential (Minimum Bill 1,500 gal) $ 16.72 31.25%
Residential (3,000 gal) 19.57 31.25%
Commercial (16,000 gal) 93.70 31.26%
Other Public Authority (33,000 gal) 190.64 31.26%
The rate increases shown above are based on averages for customers in the indicated class at varying usages. Individual customers may receive increases that are greater or less than average. Furthermore, the requested rates and charges are only a proposal and are subject to change (increase or decrease) by the Public Service Commission in its review of this filing. Any increase in rates and charges will not become effective until authorized and approved by the Public Service Commission. If a hearing is conducted, notice will be given of the time and place of hearing.
A complete copy of the Company’s tariff proposals and a representative of the Company to provide information concerning this tariff are available to all customers, prospective customers or their agents at the following offices:
West Virginia-American Water
Central Division
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Charleston, WV 25302
West Virginia-American Water
Southern Division
12 Mile Road @ Route 460
Princeton, West Virginia 24740
Anyone desiring to intervene and act as a party in either of these cases should file on or before July 29, 2023 a Petition to Intervene complying with the Commission rules on intervention in the Rules of Practice and Procedure, 150 C.S.R. 1, unless otherwise modified by Commission order. Anyone desiring to protest should file a written protest as soon as possible, although protests will be accepted by the Commission through the pendency of this proceeding. All written protests should briefly state the reason for the protest. All protests and Petitions to Intervene should clearly state the case name and number and be addressed to Connie Graley, Executive Secretary, Public Service Commission of West Virginia, P.O. Box 812, Charleston, West Virginia 25323.
A copy of this tariff is also available for public inspection at the Offices of the Secretary of the Public Service Commission at 201 Brooks Street, Charleston, West Virginia 25301.