CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state Public Service Commission issued an order to block the connection of the water systems of West Union and Pennsboro in Doddridge and Ritchie Counties.
The order was issued last week as a result of a petition filed by the town of West Union. Officials say the order comes to avoid the potential risk of leaving the North Central Regional Jail without water.
West Union provides water to the jail and asked for the order December 9th following two unsuccessful attempts by Pennsboro to make the connection between the two towns’ water systems.
“The record currently before the Commission demonstrates immediate risk to the operational integrity of West Union’s system and to the jail’s storage tank if Pennsboro’s high-pressure system is connected without appropriate safeguards,” the Commission ruled.
On November 19, the water systems that service the North Central Regional Jail filed a petition to have the Commission staff assist them in establishing water rates.
The town of West Union owns and operates a water treatment plant and distribution system in Doddridge County, including the regional jail. West Union is in the process of constructing $23.3 million in upgrades and improvements to its system.