FAYETTE COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – West Virginia-American Water Company was given authority Monday by state regulators to take over operations of the troubled Armstrong Public Service District. The district earlier agreed to the takeover plan.
The new order formalizes action the Public Service Commission of West Virginia took on an emergency basis on Aug. 14 to begin improving water quality and overall operations of the district that provides water to 879 wastewater and 822 water customers in the vicinity of Montgomery, Fayette County.
Last Oct. 13, West Virginia American Water Company, which has 167,000 customers in 19 counties, asked the Commission to determine if Armstrong is a distressed or failing utility. The Fayette County Commission supported the request. Numerous residents pleaded for PSC assistance at a public hearing the Commission held into the matter.
The company noted the district has issued numerous boil water advisories since 2017 and has had repeated notifications of violations of its water quality. PSC engineer Jonathan Fowler testified the plant “is among he worst he has seen in his 46-year career,” the order noted.
This agreement “is designed to help improve water service to Armstrong’s customers as quickly as possible,” the PSC order said. The Commission endorsed the joint request for an interim emergency operation and maintenance agreement without approving terms of the agreement.
“This was an emergency situation in which we had to act promptly for the public welfare and safety,” PSC Chairman Charlotte Lane said.
More information on this case can be found on the PSC website: www.psc.state.wv.us. Click on “Case Information” and access Case Nos. 22-0911-PWD-DU.