KEARNEYSVILLE, W.Va. — West Virginia American Water officially took over Jefferson Utilities last year, and now has water customers in Jefferson, Berkeley and Morgan Counties.
Brooks Crislip is the Director of Development for West Virginia American Water. On Panhandle Live Thursday, he was asked why rates for customers in Jefferson County were raised by 44 percent upon their acquisition of the utilities and then another 8% in March of this year following a decision by the West Virginia Public Service Commission:
He says West Virginia American Water has made major investments in West Virginia infrastructure:
When West Virginia American Water acquired Jefferson Utilities in October of 2023 the company included a 44% service rate increase for about 4,000 customers in Jefferson County.
In February of 2024, the Public Service Commission (PSC) of West Virginia approved an 8% increase in rates for West Virginia American Water customers.
This increase included an average of $8 per month for residential water customers and an average of $12 per month for wastewater customers.
The new base rates went into effect on February 25, 2024, and the surcharge went into effect on March 1, 2024.
According to the Journal, West Virginia American Water made a presentation before the Charles Town Utility Board, where Crislip and Manager of Business Development Jake Glance presented ‘partnership opportunities,’ as well as potential purchase options, to the board.
During the presentation to CTUB, Crislip spoke solely about wastewater and how WVAW could potentially help the utility.
Following the presentation, members of the CTUB board made their opinions known. None of those in attendance supported a partnership or a sale according to reporting in the Journal.
