HAMLIN, W.Va. — The West Virginia-American Water has officially purchased the financially troubled Lincoln Public Service District for $12.9 million.
The state Public Service Commission approved the sale Friday. The Lincoln County Commission (LCC) and West Virginia American Water Co. (WVAWC) filed a joint petition nearly one year ago to ask the PSC for approval.
The distressed Lincoln County water utility was better off in WVAWC’s hands, the 2025 filing said. In line with that, the filing said the LCC would receive a net payment after its $6.2 million debts were paid.
The district serves over 2,500 customers in Lincoln, as well as parts of Kanawha and Boone counties. Rising costs to run the utility were a contributing factor to the sale. The LCC and WVAWC filed a joint settlement agreement last Wednesday with the PSC, calling for an evidentiary hearing scheduled for Thursday to be canceled.
“With this acquisition, the people of Lincoln County should be getting clean water and reliable service,” PSC Chairman Charlotte Lane said.
According to the PSC, the district will now undergo three rate changes over the next two years until it matches the rates that other WVAWC customers are paying.