CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state Public Service Commission has created a task force to “recommend rules to govern operation and maintenance of fire hydrants” in the state.
The new order coming from the PSC on Tuesday creates the “Fire Hydrant Maintenance and Testing Task Force.” It will be chaired by the Commission Legal Staff, members of the engineering and Consumer Advocate Division and representatives of West Virginia American Water Company and the Morgantown Utility Board.
The PSC also solicited 13 individuals and groups who will nominate members to the panel. The panel’s final report was ordered no later than June 30, 2024.
Last summer, Gov. Jim Justice recommended that the PSC open up an investigation into how the state’s 50,000 fire hydrants were maintained.
A report on the state’s fire hydrants sent to the state Legislature from commission staff recommended that the supervision and maintenance of the hydrants be placed under the PSC.
“Staff noted that there were significant issues with the way fire hydrants are being inspected and flow tested,” the PSC order said.
The Legislature passed a bill this year “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.”
Anyone interested in serving on the panel is asked to contact the Commission Legal Division.