(Graphic Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

WAVERLY — The customers of the Union Williams Public Service District will be seeing a rate increase for its sanitary sewer service.

Union-Williams PSD filed an application to the Public Service Commission of West Virginia proposing a two-step increase in rates for its sanitary sewer services, affecting approximately 1,820 customers in parts of Union Magisterial District (Wood County) and Grant Magisterial District (Pleasants County), according to a press release from the PSD.

The rate increase, which will be on an interim basis, goes into effect for all services starting on June 15, it added.

On June 10, 2025, the Public Service Commission approved the Step 1 rates which will result in an approximate 8.94% increase, generating an estimated $146,510 in additional annual revenue, according to the press release.

Union Williams PSD General Manager Kelley Sanders said this is an “emergency rate increase” to cover the increased operations and maintenance expenses they have incurred from prices increasing nationwide for goods and services they need to maintain the PSD.

“It was a difficult decision for us to request the sewer rate increase to cover our operation and maintenance expenses, but due to the cost of business continuously rising we are struggling to pay the bills,” Sanders said.

The district is currently undergoing an $8 million renovation project for its sewer operations, Sanders said.

The Step 2 increase of 25.92% over the Step 1 amount will generate approximately $462,703 to help pay for that.

Sanders said they have asked for that to come into effect on Nov. 1, but that decision will be with the PSC. An audit of the district will have to be done first. She was not sure when the PSC would be able to rule on that.

“They said it would be increased when our project was nearing completion,” Sanders said.

The district is rebuilding three sewer pump stations, revitalizing manholes, upgrading a sewer vacuum system as well as replacing the headworks within the sewer plant where wastewater enters and pushes the sewage through to remove solid matter before moving on to other treatment processes.

“I hope our customers understand that the cost of business is continually rising and we wish to continue to provide good customer service that our community has come to expect,” Sanders said.

Customers wishing to protest or intervene in the case must file a written protest or notice of intervention within 30 days. Instructions for submissions can be found on the PSC’s website or by contacting the executive secretary, according to the press release.