YOUR WATER AND WASTEWATER RATES

West Virginia Public Service Commission Authorizes New Rates for West Virginia American Water in Support of $239 in Infrastructure Investments

On March 5, 2026, the West Virginia Public Service Commission approved new rates for West Virginia American Water. The rate increase supports over $239 million in water and wastewater investments and improvements across the state.

Effective March 1, 2026, residential water customers using 3,000 gallons per month will see their average bill increase by approximately $6 per month, and residential wastewater customers will see their average bill increase by approximately $7 per month.

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 was granted an order on March 11, 2026 by the Public Service Commission of West Virginia (PSC), approving its 2026 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 2026 plan includes approximately $35.7 million for water and $6.1 million for wastewater infrastructure replacement and system upgrades.

 

  • The new DSIC and WSIC surcharge is effective as of March 1, 2026.

 

  • The DSIC surcharge is an increase of approximately $2 per month for the average residential water customer using 3,000 gallons, and the WSIC surcharge is an increase of approximately $2.00 per month for a wastewater customer using 3,000 gallons.

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* - $48.54 per month
  • 1 inch meter - $118.87 per month
  • 1-1/2 inch meter - $236.09 per month
  • 2 inch meter - $376.90 per month
  • 3 inch meter - $705.30 per month
  • 4 inch meter - $1,174.42 per month
  • 6 inch meter - $2,347.30 per month
  • 8 inch meter - $3,754.76 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 - $21.5274 per 1,000 gallons
  • Next 870,000 gallons used per month - $14.1530 per 1,000 gallons
  • Next 8,100,000 gallons used per month - $10.3076 per 1,000 gallons
  • All over 9,000,000 gallons used per month - $6.5846 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 $2 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: $71.34

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

  • First 2,500 gallons used per month $28.5360 per 1,000 gallons
  • All over 2,500 gallons used per month $24.3147 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 $2 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.