Cameron increases water prices amid quality concerns

CAMERON, W.Va. (WTRF) – The question Cameron residents want answered… higher water rates, but at what cost?

”Our complaints have gone unanswered from our local government to the governor’s office, from the EPA to the PSC and the health department. And that’s been overlooked and gone on answered for many, many years. So, it’s time to change that. We need answers on why our water is bad.”

Heavenly Cook – Concerned Cameron Resident

The ordinance presented at Cameron City Council was a 20% increase in water rates for city residents – the first increase since 2015.

This comes from Senate Bill 234 and the Public Service Commission requiring all utility services in the state of West Virginia to open a capital reserve account.

”The city of Cameron has to contribute $2,833 a month to that working capital account. That fund, that money that goes into that account cannot be used for payroll, cannot be used for chemicals, utilities. It is only for major repairs or breakdowns.”

Mayor Greg Galentine – City of Cameron

Discolored and grainy are not descriptors you think of when it comes to water in a glass, in a shower, or to wash clothes.

This, however, is the reality for many Cameron residents and 130 names have signed a petition to the Public Service Commission to halt the rate increase.

”We wouldn’t mind paying an increase in rates if our quality of water was better, but because our kids get rashes, because our schools, water fountains come out, yellow water because our laundry is yellow, because I have cinders that get left in my toilet and in my tub, we are refusing that.”

Heavenly Cook – Concerned Cameron Resident

Officials in the city say otherwise.

”If our water was contaminated, I can assure you that the proper authorities, along with the city of Cameron, would be notified that there is something majorly wrong with your water. So, we have never been notified. The agencies have never been notified. So, we continue to serve the residents and myself that drinks the water.”

Mayor Greg Galentine – City of Cameron

Ultimately, the council voted to pass the rate increase, with a hopeful outlook for the future.

The City of Cameron is eligible for over $4 million for a major water project to fix the lines in Gable Avenue, Hillcrest and Highland Avenue, to 50 North.

The petition will go on to the Public Service Commission to determine the next steps for concerned residents.

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