Rupert Water Department customers may be seeing an increase in their water bills.
According to Rupert Town Clerk Valerie Currence, the town was notified that their current water rates were not sufficient to meet the state revenue bond rate covenant ordinance following their recent audit. Therefore, it was suggested that the town raise customer water rates by 12%. Water rates for Rupert customers have not risen since 2014, Currence noted.
Information provided through the West Virginia Public Service Commission states that current rates for Rupert water customers are $12.50 for $1,000 gallons for the first 2,000 gallons used per month and $12.04 per $1,000 gallons used over 2,000 gallons per month. Minimum bill requirements are $25.
Currence said that the water rate increase isn’t something the town wants to do, but it is necessary to keep up with rising costs of everything from water line supplies and chemicals to water department employee pay. Currently, the town only has one certified water department employee and two others who are waiting to become certified.
As part of the legal requirements for the water bill increase, there will be a public comment hearing on Thursday, Nov. 11, at 6 p.m. at Rupert Town Hall. The hearing will take place just before the next meeting of the Rupert Town Council.
All Rupert water customers are invited to the hearing and are encouraged to voice their opinions regarding the rate increase.
Currence said that additional information regarding the potential rate increase will be added to customer water bills.
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