West Virginia American Water has filed an application with the Public Service Commission (PSC) of West Virginia, seeking approval of its 2022 infrastructure replacement program and associated Distribution System Improvement Charge (DSIC). The program is set to cost around $32.5 million if approved.
West Virginia American Water’ President, Rob Burton said: “The annual infrastructure replacement program has given us the ability to make timely, necessary investments in our water systems to improve reliability while reducing long-term costs for our customers.”
The program includes $18.6 million to replace or upgrade almost 38 miles of water mains; $4.2 million to replace service lines and fire hydrants; $4.8 million to replace water meters; $0.2 million for a booster station, $2.5 million for additional storage tanks, and $2.2 million for post-acquisition investment on troubled water systems.
In an effort to communicate these investments to customers, West Virginia American Water maintains an Infrastructure Upgrade Map – a user-friendly, easily accessible online map that allows customers to view details about water main replacement projects as they are under construction and completed. West Virginia was the first state within American Water to use an interactive web-based map to display these types of projects, allowing customers to see the size and scope of the investments the company is making across its service area.
“The annual DSIC program provides transparency to our customers and allows for up-front regulatory review and approval of our proposed infrastructure upgrades to confirm that they are in the best interest of our customers,” Burton continued. “In turn, our customers pay a small monthly surcharge to receive improved service reliability from these projects.”
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