Mingo County water rate increase is rejected for now

Mingo County commissioners voted unanimously to reject a proposed water rate increase Friday. Amid ongoing water issues, Eyewitness News reported that the Mingo County Commission rejected a rate increase request from the Mingo County Public Service District that it said would have increased some rates by at least $5. Commissioners said some of the county’s water issues stem from additional systems and lines being put under the Mingo County PSD’s control without enough improvements being made to meet the increased demand. The Public Service Commission of West Virginia is investigating the PSD to see what’s causing the issue, and commissioners said Friday the findings would impact their decisions going forward on funding improvement projects. Eyewitness News said those findings are expected by mid April.