West Virginia Water Systems Rank Among Most Expensive in US, Study Finds

A national study released by Food & Water Watch found that West Virginia American Water systems serving Huntington and the Kanawha Valley rank among the most expensive drinking water providers in the United States, with bills averaging $1,383 annually for a household using 60,000 gallons, WCHS reported.

West Virginia Water Bills Rise Faster than National Average

Food & Water Watch analyzed 2025 utility bills from the 500 largest community water systems across the United States. The research placed the Huntington water system at second-highest nationwide, while the Kanawha Valley system ranked third-highest.

Utility records examined in the study show that bills for both West Virginia systems increased by 95% between 2015 and 2025. By comparison, water bills across the United States increased by an average of 62% over the same ten-year period.

Huntington Resident Faces Unsustainable Monthly Utility Costs

Huntington resident Mary Moreland-Hayes described a steep climb in her monthly statements over a short duration. When she compared her records, her utility costs jumped from approximately $40 a month in 2023 to a range of $100 to $115 a month, despite her household water usage remaining entirely unchanged.

Moreland-Hayes said that nobody can afford those costs going forward and that it is not sustainable. She added that it is stressful to think about what the cost will be in one or two years if it is $100 now.

Moreland-Hayes expressed anxiety over future rate adjustments.

West Virginia American Water Disputes Study Methodology

West Virginia American Water strongly disputed the methodology and comparisons used in the Food & Water Watch study. In a statement provided to WCHS, the utility asserted that the report fails to account for critical operational variables, including unique infrastructure needs, raw water sources, local treatment requirements, regulatory mandates, geography, and investment levels.

The company maintains that its rate structures directly reflect the necessary costs of replacing aging water mains, upgrading treatment facilities, and preserving reliable service delivery. In recent years, West Virginia American Water has expanded its geographic footprint by acquiring smaller, distressed water systems throughout the state.

In 2024, the West Virginia Public Service Commission authorized the use of infrastructure surcharges to fund capital improvements at newly acquired systems. In March, the commission approved additional rate adjustments tied to more than $239 million in company investments and system enhancements. West Virginia American Water stated that this particular regulatory change added about $6 per month to the bill of an average residential customer using 3,000 gallons.

Public Scrutiny Over Service Quality and Future Rates

While acknowledging the necessity of maintaining physical infrastructure, local consumers question whether the financial burden is distributed fairly. Moreland-Hayes questioned how rate increases can be justified when customers experience persistent concerns regarding service delivery, noting that households question paying higher prices while struggling with basic utility quality.