PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
OF WEST VIRGINIA
CHARLESTON
CASE NO. 22-0826-PWD-CN
MINERAL WELLS PUBLIC SERVICE DISTRICT
Wood, Wirt, Jackson Counties, West Virginia
Application for a certificate of convenience and necessity to construct certain additions and improvements to its existing waterworks system.
NOTICE OF FILING
On September 22, 2022, Mineral Wells Public Service District (District) filed a duly verified application for a certificate of convenience and necessity to construct certain additions and improvements to the District’s existing waterworks system in Wood, Wirt, and Jackson Counties.
The District proposes to construct certain additions and improvements to its waterworks system:
Water Meters and Meter Reading Equipment, Contract 17-1. Furnish approximately 2,238 positive displacement meters with transmitter for meter sizes ranging from 5/8-inch by 3/4-inch to 2-inch; furnish approximately six (6) compound meters with transmitters for meter sizes ranging from 3-inch to 4-inch.; furnish mobile data collector unit and transceiver for use with existing meter reading system; together with necessary appertaining work.
Water Meter Installation, Contract 17-2. Installation of meters with transmitters to be furnished by Owner for installation in existing meter pits for approximately 2,149 positive displacement meters ranging in size from 5/8-inch by 3/4-inch to 2-inch; and approximately six (6) compound meters ranging from 3-inch to 4-inch; together with necessary appertaining work.
Water System Improvements, Contract 17-3. Construction of approximately 1,820 lineal feet of 8- inch water main and 5,700 lineal feet of 6-inch water main including gate valves, hydrants and water service reconnections; replacement of 25 hydrant assemblies; installation of 10 new hydrants; water storage tank improvements including access road improvements and installation of mixing equipment; booster station improvements including fencing and installation of standby generators; Pettyville Booster Station pumping improvements; installation of stand-by generator for office/garage complex; construction of approximately 89 meter pits for existing services including installation of meter with transmitter as furnished by Owner; telemetry improvements; together with necessary appertaining work.
The application is on file with and available for public inspection at the Public Service Commission, 201 Brooks Street, Charleston, West Virginia.
The estimated cost of the Project is $$4,965,139. The District proposes to fund the Project with a $3,609,000 loan from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for a term of 40 years at 2.125% interest, and a $1,356,139 loan from the West Virginia Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council for a term of 20 years at 2.75% interest.
The District anticipates charging the following increased rates and charges for its customers:
APPLICABLITY
Applicable within entire territory served.
AVAILABILITY OF SERVICE
Available for general domestic, commercial, and industrial and sale for resale water service.
RATES (customers with metered water supply)
First 3,000 gallons used per month $13.91 per 1,000 gallons
Next 7,000 gallons used per month $12.98 per 1,000 gallons
Next 10,000 gallons used per month $10.22 per 1,000 gallons
All over 20,000 gallons used per month $7.79per 1,000
gallons
MINIMUM CHARGE
No bill will be rendered for less than the following amounts according to meter size installed:
5/8 inch meter -$41.73 per month
3/4 inch meter – $62.60 per month
1 inch meter – $104.33 per month
1 1/2 inch meter – $208.65 per month
2 inch meter – $333.84 per month
3 inch meter – $667.68 per month
4 inch meter- $1,043.25 per month
6 inch meter – $2,086.50 per month
DELAYED PAYMENT PENTALTY
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 for each bill where it is appropriate.
RECONNECTION FEE – $25.00
To be charged whenever the supply of water is turned off for violations of rules, non-payment of bills or fraudulent use of water.
TAP FEE
The following charge is to be made whenever the utility installs a new tap to serve an applicant:
A tap fee of $350.00 will be charged to all customers who apply for service outside of a certificate proceeding before the Commission for each new tap to the system.
RETURNED CHECK CHARGE
A service charge equal to the actual bank fee assessed to the water utility up to a maximum of $25.00 will be imposed upon any customer whose check for payment of charges is returned by the bank due to insufficient funds..
LEAK ADJUSTMENT RATE
$4.86 per 1,000 gallons is to be used when a bill reflects unusual consumption which can be attributed to eligible leakage on the customer’s side of the meter. This rate shall be applied to all such consumption above the customer’s historical average usage.
SECURITY DEPOSIT
Not to exceed two-twelfths (2/12) of the average annual usage of the applicant’s specific customer class, or fifty dollars ($50.00), whichever is greater. This fee may change by applicable statutory provisions.
PRIVATE FIRE PROTECTION SERVICE
Where connections, hydrants, sprinklers, and/or hose connections on private property are maintained by consumer.
2-inch Service Line per Annum $54.33
3-inch Service Line per Annum $122.88
4-inch Service Line per Annum$215.36
6-inch Service Line per Annum $545.58
8-inch Service Line per Annum $894.75
10-inch Service Line per Annum $1,587.03
12-inch Service Line per Annum $2,223.66
These rates represent the following project-related increases that will become effective upon substantial completion of the project unless otherwise ordered:
($) INCREASE (%) INCREASE
Residential (3,200 gallons) $5.93 15.43%
Commercial (17,500 gallons) $27.89 15.38%
Industrial (26,750 gallons) $38.31 15.38%
Public Authority (2,000 gallons) $5.58 15.44%
The District has no resale customers.
The proposed increased rates and charges related to the project will produce approximately $251,428 annually in additional revenue, an increase of 15.38%. The total increase granted will not exceed this estimate unless further notice is provided.
Anyone desiring to protest or intervene in the 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 intervene can affect your right to protest aspects of this certificate case or 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 Rules of Practice and Procedure . All protests and requests to intervene should be addressed to Executive Secretary, P.O. Box 812, Charleston, West Virginia 25323.
In the absence of substantial protest received within thirty (30) days of this publication, the Commission may waive formal hearing and grant the application based on Commission review of the evidence submitted with the application.
Sept 14