PSC recommends rate increase, customers disagree

KINGWOOD — Customers of Preston County Public Service District 1 (PSD 1) turned out in force Wednesday to object to further rate increases.

The hearing was held by the State Public Service Commission (PSC), which controls utility rates in West Virginia. The PSC will announce its decision later.

All the statements made Wednesday, as well as financial and engineering documents, will be placed on the PSC’s website within a week. Reference case No. 19-0894-PWD-19A.

All but one of the 21 people who spoke opposed the rate hike. The rest criticized the district’s management and water quality, and asked why they, and not the contractor more than a year behind schedule in building a new dam for the district, are left with the bill.

Many mentioned extra expenses they have endured buying drinking water and replacing appliances damaged by the water.

“This water burns, it stings, it stinks,” said one woman.

The dam, at the J.W. Ruby Research Farms, was PSD 1’s water source. When the owners, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, said the
50-year-old structure needed to be replaced, the district chose a pond known as Impoundment 6 as a temporary water source.

It has had difficulties treating replacement water sources. The additional expense led to the PSC approving an emergency interim rate increase of 26.11%.

PSC staff is recommending a 44.91% increase to remain in effect until the dam is done and water is being used from that reservoir.

Afterwards, Step 2 rates would take effect, if the staff recommendation is followed, resulting in a decrease in rates of 7.92%. Step 3 rates are proposed to take effect 24 months from the date rates are approved in the case and result in a further decrease of 1.12%.

Jean Linton held a muddy brown water filter aloft at the hearing as evidence of the water’s condition. She didn’t fault the district entirely, though, saying you can’t win when you fight the government.

“In the year 2020 in the United States, this should not be an issue,” said Carrie Rehe, referring to water quality.

“They’re asking for a bailout for them, but where is our bailout for our water heaters that are not working, our plumbing that needs replaced?” Megan Goodrich asked.

Robert Born and others worried about potential health problems from the temporary water site because the area was formerly a landfill and a surface mine.

The district has maintained and shows health department reports saying the water is safe if unpalatable looking. The problem occurred when the temporary water source got low, they said.

“From the state level all the way down to the local level, problems have occurred, and it’s not our fault,” said Bruce Workman, referring to the crowd. “We pay enough.”

Steve White said he believes the formerly financially stable PSD was forced into the project. “And I find it very egregious that the contractor bears no responsibility to pay for overages, charges, mismanagement or damages.”

But, White said, while it’s good to speak out, he knows “that public comment is not what is going to make the decision. What’s going to make the decision is the numbers, and we all know that.”

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