Buckhannon residents will start out the new year with an increase in their water bills for the first time since 1984.
The city council approved a 15 percent water rate hike, beginning Jan. 1, 2013. A resident who uses 2,000 gallons of water a month would pay $1.24 more every month. A household that uses 4,000 gallons would pay $2.44 more a month.
Buckhannon Mayor Kenny Davidson said the rate hike will help pay for water utility maintenance, upgrades and personnel costs.
"Part of our rate increase would provide for some upgrades and improvements to our plant, which is aging a bit," Davidson said. "I don't think there's anything more important that we do as a city than providing good water."
The West Virginia Public Service Commission still must approve the proposed rate hike, but Davidson said he expects to get that approval in the coming weeks.
Despite the proposed water rate increase, Buckhannon water charges will remain well below the average for other nearby cities. In Buckhannon, the residential rate for 4,000 gallons per month is expected to rise to $18.76. According to the West Virginia Public Service Commission, for 4,000 gallons per month, Elkins water rate is $26.78, Clarksburg is $29.04, Bridgeport is $31.61 and Philippi is $38.96.
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