Kanawha County officials have signaled their opposition to West Virginia American Water’s request for a rate hike totaling $41.2 million to boost revenues by 22.5% in addition to a $471,000 increase to sewer rates, a 24.9% revenue boost. Commissioners noted some West Virginia customers have seen 15 water rate hikes since 2005, marking a 124% increase. Those numbers give West Virginia consumers the highest average water bills in the United States, according to a news release from the Kanawha County Commission. The news release challenged the utility’s claims that rate hikes are needed to address aging infrastructure when “the company’s parent boasts significant financial success with a total shareholder return of 82% over the last five years.” The PSC will listen to public comments online and in person on Nov. 2.