MCDOWELL COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The Public Service Commission of West Virginia has approved an operation and maintenance agreement between Gary and the McDowell County Public Service District for the PSD to run the town’s water system.
The agreement between the two was filed with the Commission on March 13. Evidentiary and public comment hearings were held before an administrative law judge on March 19. That judge issued his ruling on April 20 and his decision was adopted by the Commission.
“Gary will transfer the day-to-day operations of its facilities to McDowell PSD while retaining ownership and continuing to pursue funds to refurbish the utility,” the Commission said. Gary Municipal Water Works serves 416 customers, according to its latest annual report.
The Commission said the district should file progress reports with it each 60 days.
The PSC legal staff petitioned last year to have the town’s water system declared a distressed or failing utility. That request is being held in abeyance.
“Staff represented that Gary customers have experienced poor water quality for many years and persistent boil water advisories,” the ruling said. “Gary has limited resources to address its infrastructure and substantial water loss. Gary has an alarming level of water loss between 90 and 94 percent of the water produced, according to its annual reports.”
The Commission in February ordered the two to enter into a similar agreement over the town’s 356-customer sewer system (Case No. 22-1083-S-DU).
More information on this case can be found on the PSC website: www.psc.state.wv.us. Click on “Case Information” and access Case No. 25-0611-W-DU.
