PINEVILLE, W.Va. – Earlier this week, the Town of Pineville adopted a new ordinance providing a tariff for increased water service rates.

According to a public notice concerning the rate increase, the tariff will affect 1103 customers in Pineville and the proposed increased rates and charges will become effective on September 2nd, 2021 unless otherwise ordered by the Public Service Commission of West Virginia.

Generating $100,406.00 annually in additional revenue from an increase of 14.1%, the average monthly bill for the various classes of customers will be as follows:
For residential service (2,873 gallons), an increase of $5.55 of 13.7% is requested.
For commercial service (5,500 gallons), an increase of $9.42 or 13.7% is requested.
For Public Authority rates (6,032 gallons), an increase of $10.25 or 13.7% is requested.

The increases shown above are based on averages of all customers in the respective class and individuals may receive increases that are greater or less than average.
At this time, the proposed rate increase is only a proposal and subject to change by the Public Service Commission in its review of this filing.

The Commission shall review and approve or modify the increased rates only upon the filing of a petition within thirty (30) days of the adoption of the ordinance changing said rates or charges, made by:

• Any customer aggrieved by the changed rates or charges who presents to the Commission a petition signed by not less than twenty-five percent of the customers served by such municipally operated public utility; or

• Any customer who is served by a municipally operated public utility and who resides outside the corporate limits and who is affected by the change in said rates or charges and who presents to the Commission a petition alleging discrimination between customers within and without the municipal boundaries. Said petition shall be accompanied by evidence of discrimination; or

• Any customer or group of customers who are affected by said change in rates who reside within the municipal boundaries and who present a petition to the Commission alleging discrimination between said customer or group of customers and other customers of the municipal utility. Said petition shall be accompanied by evidence of discrimination.

All petitions should be addressed to the Executive Secretary, Public Service Commission of West Virginia, 201 Brooks Street, P. 0. Box 812, Charleston, West Virginia 25323.

A complete copy of the proposed rates, as well as a representative of the utility to provide any information requested concerning it, is available to all customers, prospective customers, or their agents at Town of Pineville, 296 Appalachian Highway, PO Box 220, Pineville, West Virginia 24874.