CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Public Service Commission will hear evidence Thursday in the case of the Gauley River Public Service District. The PSD is the provider of water and sewer service in the area around Gauley Bridge which includes the Mount Olive Prison. They have been the subject of scrutiny after water service to the prison was lost from December 2021 to February 2022.
“We’re trying to establish if the district can provide water not only to all of its customers, but also to the prison,” said PSC Chairwoman Charlotte Lane.
The hearing will give the PSC a chance to hear from staff investigators who have looked at the current operation of the PSD, as well as representatives of the district to make their case. The Commission will consider the evidence and at a later date rule whether it’s possible the district can improve or if the problems associated with service are so bad a change is necessary to insure the future of quality water service.
“The statute allows us to order another entity, we decide is a capable, proximate utility to take them over. Another option is to work with the district to come up with solutions to their problems and then monitor their progress,” Lane explained. “What we want is to make sure the prison doesn’t lose water at anytime in the future and that the customers of Gauley River continue to get good service.”
A similar process is being undertaken in the case of Kanawha Falls Public Service District which is also involved in providing water service to the prison. Their evidentiary hearing was already held. The PSC has not issued an order in their case.