MONONGAH, W.Va. — Residents in the town of Monongah have completed a petition to the Public Service Commission (PSC) opposing increases to water and sewer rates there.
The Town of Monongah is seeking a 30 percent increase in sewer and about a nine percent increase in water rates.
Organizer Andrew Biro said 310 residents in the town have signed the petition, and it has been submitted to the PSC. Biro said if this increase is approved, it would equal a total increase of nearly 40 percent over the last six years.
“Now they want to do a 30 percent increase on the sewer and almost a nine percent increase on the water, and our minimum bills are getting high,” Biro said. “We have some elderly folks here that don’t even use 2,000 gallons a month, and their minimum bill is over $100 a month.”
Biro said the town is selling water to municipalities like Coon’s Run, Farmington, and Worthington for a much cheaper rate than is charged to Monongah residents. There are also unconfirmed reports that Worthington is reselling water to Mannington at an even higher rate.
“We’re over $20 per 1,000 gallons, and they’re selling it to those towns for $3.03 per 1,000 gallons,” Biro said. “The cost should be shared and spread because we’re using our pumps and our equipment to provide them a service.”
Biro said the petition has been submitted to the PSC, and they plan to monitor progress with officials.
“They don’t seem too concerned when it comes to these towns and municipalities,” Biro said. “From my reading online, they really don’t regulate them unless there is a petition of a certain magnitude, so I’m hoping we can get them to look into this.”
Biro said officials have been inconsistent about reasons for the increases in some cases. He said the increases have been blamed on equipment costs and failures, employee costs, and that decisions made years ago are blamed for the increases in rates today.
“I feel that it is something that the town is not sharing with us,” Biro said. “I do know someone in the plant has told us there is a 50 percent water loss in the Idamay area because the pipes are old.”
The mayor of Monongah has not responded to a request for comment.