Heated Discussion | Misplaced Anger | Solutions Beyond the PSD

On January 8, 2026, I attended a Greater Harrison County Public Service District (PSD) public hearing on a proposed water and sewer rate increase. It was an informative meeting. Here are a few highlights:  1) Water rate increase 7.2 percent.  2) Sewer rate increase 3.5 percent.

This Greater Harrison County Public Service District (PSD) hearing made one thing very clear: people are frustrated, and some of that frustration is justified. I want to address the concerns I’ve heard directly, because acknowledging the valid points doesn’t require pretending that every argument made last night was sound.

1. “Some residents can’t afford the increase.”

I hear this concern, and I don’t dismiss it. Any increase—no matter how modest—affects people on fixed incomes. But the PSD didn’t raise rates because they wanted to. They raised them because they are legally required to maintain certain reserves, meet Public Service Commission (PSC) standards, and qualify for infrastructure grants. Without those upgrades, the system fails, and everyone pays far more in the long run. If affordability is the issue, the solution isn’t to underfund the water system. The solution is for the state legislature to expand utility assistance programs, create income-based rate relief, or authorize alternative billing structures for low-income households. Those tools do not currently exist at the PSD level.

2. “Two different rate tiers are unfair.”

I understand why people feel this way. But the PSD explained—correctly—that rate tiers are not arbitrary. They are based on PSC rules, cost of service studies, and the County Commission’s guidance. If residents want a single uniform rate, that is a policy change that must come from the PSC or the County Commission, not the PSD board. The PSD is following the rules it is required to follow.

3. “Sewer bills shouldn’t be based on water usage."

This complaint came up repeatedly, and I understand why it feels unfair. Washing a car or watering a garden doesn’t send water into the sewer system. But again, the PSD is following the statewide standard. The PSC requires sewer billing to be tied to water consumption unless a district installs and maintains separate sewer meters—which would cost far more than the current system. If people want a different billing model—seasonal sewer averaging, irrigation meters, or capped sewer charges—those options must be authorized by the state legislature or approved by the PSC. The PSD cannot unilaterally change that structure.

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Where the Real Solutions Are

The PSD board did not ignore the public. They simply cannot break state law or PSC regulations to satisfy demands that fall outside their authority.

If residents want:

• income-based utility relief

• uniform countywide rates

• sewer billing that doesn’t penalize outdoor water use

• alternative rate structures

• irrigation meters or seasonal averaging

. . . then the next step is not yelling at the PSD. The next step is engaging the people who actually have the power to change the rules:

• The West Virginia Legislature

They set the statutory framework for how PSDs operate and what billing models are allowed.

• The Public Service Commission

They regulate rate structures, cost of service requirements, and billing practices.

• The Harrison County Commission

They provide guidance to PSDs and can request or support changes in rate policy.

If the community wants reform, that’s where the pressure needs to go.

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Final Thought

It’s not insensitive to acknowledge that the PSD acted within the law and made a financially responsible decision. It’s simply the truth. But it is compassionate to say: if the current system isn’t working for people, then let’s work together to change the system—at the level where change is actually possible.

I attended this meeting primarily because I am running for the West Virginia House of Delegates and wanted to hear PSD customer concerns firsthand. I’m glad I attended because there does appear a need for state legislature involvement to resolve some of these issues.

Paid for by the Committee to Elect Lou Assaro

For West Virginia House Delegate 2026, District 69

This message was approved by Lou Assaro

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