BELLE, W.Va. - Some eastern Kanawha County residents argued Monday night that a $14.7 million water rate increase will hurt consumers too much amid a troubled economy.

"We've got too many rate increases coming at us at a time when the country's collapsing," Steve Yeager said at a meeting at the Belle Town Hall.

About 10 people spoke out against West Virginia-American Water's latest rate increase, which would take effect in March 2009 if approved by the Public Service Commission.

The proposed increase of 12.37 percent would pay for increased fuel costs, increased costs of chemicals used to treat water and to help pay for $29 million the water company spent for construction last year, West Virginia-American spokeswoman Jessica Greathouse said in May.

The company's rates also jumped by 14.9 percent this past March.

West Virginia-American officials Monday handed out a fact sheet that cited higher employee costs, electricity and other expenses driven up by inflation.

West Virginia-American customer Dan Halloran said given the country's economic situation, the rate increase should be removed altogether.

"We need people there to throw this case out," said Halloran, former director of the Charleston Sanitary Board. "At least put this rate increase on hold for one year. We don't know what's going to happen tomorrow."

Yeager agreed, and said the timing of the proposed increase is "absolutely terrible."

The proposed increase would raise the water bill for the average customer by about $5.10 a month, and bring the average water bill to $44.74.

BELLE, W.Va. - Some eastern Kanawha County residents argued Monday night that a $14.7 million water rate increase will hurt consumers too much amid a troubled economy.

"We've got too many rate increases coming at us at a time when the country's collapsing," Steve Yeager said at a meeting at the Belle Town Hall.

About 10 people spoke out against West Virginia-American Water's latest rate increase, which would take effect in March 2009 if approved by the Public Service Commission.

The proposed increase of 12.37 percent would pay for increased fuel costs, increased costs of chemicals used to treat water and to help pay for $29 million the water company spent for construction last year, West Virginia-American spokeswoman Jessica Greathouse said in May.

The company's rates also jumped by 14.9 percent this past March.

West Virginia-American officials Monday handed out a fact sheet that cited higher employee costs, electricity and other expenses driven up by inflation.

West Virginia-American customer Dan Halloran said given the country's economic situation, the rate increase should be removed altogether.

"We need people there to throw this case out," said Halloran, former director of the Charleston Sanitary Board. "At least put this rate increase on hold for one year. We don't know what's going to happen tomorrow."

Yeager agreed, and said the timing of the proposed increase is "absolutely terrible."

The proposed increase would raise the water bill for the average customer by about $5.10 a month, and bring the average water bill to $44.74.

In the fact sheet, West Virginia-American officials noted that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has established a benchmark for the reasonable cost of water at 2.5 percent of the median household income. If the full rate increase were approved, the average monthly residential bill would run 1.58 percent of the median household income.

Arguments like that didn't sit well with some in the audience.

"The working person is getting squeezed half to death," said KeithAnne Basford of Shrewsbury. "The average Joe's not getting these [substantial] pay raises."

Kanawha County Planning Director David Armstrong told residents Monday that County Commission President Kent Carper would fight the rate increase. Carper and other local officials have said consumers can't afford to pay the rising costs of water, electricity, natural gas and gasoline. 

Some of those in attendance argued about leaky lines and wasted water in Belle and the surrounding areas. One man said a leak was let go for two months before the water company fixed it.

"It's not our intention to allow leaks to run that long," said West Virginia-American President Wayne Morgan.

Monday's meeting was the first of four public hearings planned by the County Commission. The next is slated for Sept. 30 at St. Albans High School, followed by one Oct. 7 at Elkview Middle School and another Oct. 14 at the Kanawha County Courthouse. All are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. 

Reach Davin White

at davinwh...@wvgazette.com

or 348-1254.