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YOUR WATER AND WASTEWATER RATES

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.


2025 Distribution System Improvement Charge (DSIC) and Wastewater System Improvement Charge (WSIC) Filing

  • West Virginia American Water filed an application on June 28, 2024 with the Public Service Commission of West Virginia (PSC), seeking approval of its 2025 infrastructure replacement program and associated Distribution System Improvement Charge (DSIC) and Wastewater System Improvement Charge (WSIC) surcharges.

 

  • These infrastructure replacement plans and surcharges are reviewed and updated annually by the PSC, and the 2025 plan includes approximately $40.7 million for water and $3.2 million for wastewater infrastructure replacement and system upgrades.

 

  • The new DSIC and WSIC surcharge would go into effect January 1, 2025.

 

  • West Virginia American Water’s 2025 proposed DSIC water revenue requirement is based on estimated capital expenditures of $23.4 million for water mains, $1.0 million for fire hydrants, $5.0 million for service replacements, $8.2 million for meters, and $3 million for Armstrong PSD post-acquisition investment for a total water DSIC investment of $40.7 million. The $40.7 million of DSIC investment is projected to be placed into service between January 2025 and December 2025.

 

  • West Virginia American Water’s 2025 proposed WSIC revenue requirement is based on capital expenditures of $750 thousand for wastewater collection mains and appurtenances, $58 thousand for services, $15.5 thousand for manholes, $191.5 thousand for pumping equipment, and $2.2 million for Boone-Raleigh PSD, Shenandoah Junction, and Cave Road Utilities post-acquisition troubled system investment for a total wastewater investment of approximately $3.2 million of WSIC investment. This investment is projected to be placed into service between January 2025 and December 2025.

 

  • The proposed DSIC surcharge is an increase of approximately $1.94 per month for the average residential water customer using 3,000 gallons, and the proposed WSIC surcharge is an increase of approximately $2.03 per month for a wastewater customer using 3,000 gallons.

 

  • In an effort to communicate these investments to customers, West Virginia American Water maintains an Infrastructure Upgrade Map – a user-friendly, easily accessible online map that allows customers to view details about water main replacement projects and other capital investments as they are under construction and completed. West Virginia was the first state within American Water to use an interactive web-based map to display these types of projects, allowing customers to see the size and scope of the investments the company is making across its service area.


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*  -  $41.79 per month
  • 1 inch meter  -  $102.33 per month
  • 1-1/2 inch meter   -  $203.25 per month
  • 2 inch meter  -  $324.47 per month
  • 3 inch meter  -  $607.18 per month
  • 4 inch meter  -  $1,011.04 per month
  • 6 inch meter  -  $2,020.76 per month
  • 8 inch meter  -  $3,232.43 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  -  $18.5327 per 1,000 gallons
  • Next 870,000 gallons used per month  -  $12.1841 per 1,000 gallons
  • Next 8,100,000 gallons used per month  -  $8.8737 per 1,000 gallons
  • All over 9,000,000 gallons used per month  -  $5.6686 per 1,000 gallons

 

Rates may vary for some municipalities, recently acquired customers and 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.

 

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 approximately $3 per month 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.

 

West Virginia American Water Wastewater Rates at a Glance

Minimum charge: $61.42

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

  • First 2,500 gallons used per month $24.5680 per 1,000 gallons
  • All over 2,500 gallons used per month $20.9322 per 1,000 gallons

 

Former Shenandoah Junction Sewer Customers

Minimum charge: $48.16

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

  • First 2,500 gallons used per month $19.2636 per 1,000 gallons
  • All over 2,500 gallons used per month $16.4140 per 1,000 gallons

 

Former East Jefferson Sewer Customers

Minimum charge: $43.34

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

  • First 2,500 gallons used per month $17.3660 per 1,000 gallons
  • All over 2,500 gallons used per month $14.7726 per 1,000 gallons

 

Former Cave Road Utilities Customers

Minimum charge: $446.55

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

  • First 2,500 gallons used per month $18.6200 per 1,000 gallons
  • All over 2,500 gallons used per month $15.8669 per 1,000 gallons

 

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

 

Wastewater System Improvement Charge (WSIC)

The Public Service Commission of West Virginia has authorized a Wastewater System Improvement Charge (WSIC) for West Virginia American Water customers, which is approximately $3 per month for the average residential customer. This charge is reflected on your bill as a separate line item called “Wastewater System Improvement Charge" and funds wastewater system improvement projects that enhance service reliability and help meet enviromental compliance standards. The WSIC does not apply to wholesale customers under contract or to public fire accounts.

 

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.