FAYETTE COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Fayette County lawmaker is calling on state regulators to reconsider a recently approved rate increase for customers of West Virginia American Water that took effect earlier this month.
Delegate Elliott Pritt (R-Fayette) formally requested that the West Virginia Public Service Commission revisit its decision following the approval of new rates that increased residential water and wastewater bills.
Under the changes, customers using 3,000 gallons per month will see average increases of about $6 for water service and $7 for wastewater service.
The rate adjustments stem from a request filed by the utility in May 2025 seeking a 27.9% increase, which would have generated approximately $60.5 million in additional annual revenue.
The commission ultimately approved a reduced increase, authorizing $28.176 million for water service and $4.537 million for wastewater service.
In a letter dated March 26, 2026, Pritt urged commissioners to reconsider their decision, writing, “I am formally asking that you please vote to reconsider the rate increase for West Virginia American Water that you approved and which was announced this week.”
He also pointed to past precedent, stating, “This would not be an unprecedented decision; you have voted to do this in the past,” referencing a previous case involving Appalachian Power Company.
Pritt expressed concern about the financial impact on residents, writing, “[This] rate increase in water costs will significantly increase the already existing financial burden for the vast majority of my constituents.”
In a statement, Pritt expanded on those concerns, saying, “Today, I formally requested that West Virginia’s Public Service Commissioners revisit and reconsider their decision to approve a massive rate increase for WV American Water.”
He added, “Our people are some of the poorest in the nation (on average) and they are the ones who will be most negatively impacted by this decision. Water is necessary for life; the bill will have to be paid regardless.”
Pritt also warned of broader economic consequences, stating, “It is economic suicide to saddle our citizens with the highest utility costs in the nation when they make less wages than every other state.”
The delegate called on other elected officials to take similar action, noting, “The reconsideration of prior approvals for rate increases has happened before, and I urge my fellow elected officials to also formally request the Public Service Commissioners to also do the same.”
The new rates remain in effect for customers across West Virginia American Water’s service areas.
