CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The Public Service Commission of West Virginia created a task force on fire hydrants Tuesday and solicited 13 individuals and groups to nominate members to the panel.
It also said “any person interested” might contact the Commission Legal Division about serving.
The duty of the task force is “to recommend rules to govern operation and maintenance of fire hydrants.” The panel’s final report was ordered no later than June 30, 2024.
Last summer, the Commission, at the suggestion of Gov. Justice, opened a general investigation into the maintenance and operation of the state’s 50,000 fire hydrants. It was the first such examination.
Commission staff produced a report on the state of hydrants that went to the Legislature, with a recommendation that the supervision and maintenance of the devices be placed under the Commission.
“Staff noted that there were significant issues with the way fire hydrants are being inspected and flow tested,” the order said.
The Legislature earlier this year passed a bill “that provides the Commission with the authority to adopt and enforce rules regarding the inspection, flushing, flow testing, and marking of fire hydrants owned by public water utilities.”
The Commission’s order creates “the Fire Hydrant Maintenance and Testing Task Force,” to be chaired by the Commission Legal Staff, with members of the engineering and Consumer Advocate Division also as members, as well as representatives from West Virginia-American Water Co. and the Morgantown Utility Board.