Recently the Charles Town Utility Board (CTUB) resoundingly rejected a bid by West Virginia American Water (WVAW) to take over the sewer system for Charles Town, Ranson and the surrounding unincorporated area.

I think this is good news for the Eastern Panhandle.

A couple of years ago, WVAW made a similar bid to take over operations of the Berkeley County Public Service District (PSD). WVAW was turned down.

About a year ago WVAW purchased Jefferson Utilities, which had provided water and sewer services to several small unincorporated neighborhoods in Jefferson County. The West Virginia Public Service Commission (PSC) permitted this sale over the objections of its staff and the PSC Consumer Advocate. The PSC is the regulatory authority over all public utilities that provide water, sewer and electric service to the people of West Virginia. The PSC’s ratemaking authority covers all publicly owned utilities, as well as licensed private utilities that operate as regulated monopolies.

The PSC staff and the Consumer Advocate argued that the price WVAW was paying was seriously inflated, but the PSC approved the sale anyway.

Why would WVAW want to pay an inflated price for Jefferson Utilities? Many (I among them) speculated that perhaps WVAW thought that having a physical presence here in the Panhandle might make it easier to persuade local municipal governments and PSDs to allow WVAW to take over their systems.

Voila! WVAW showed up at CTUB’s doorstep, offering to take over its sewer system. This offer came on the heels of WVAW suggesting it should be permitted to run a sewer pipeline under the Shenandoah River, to serve customers on the Blue Ridge Mountains here in Jefferson County.

The idea of a sewer pipe under the Shenandoah River went over like the proverbial lead balloon. In addition to the possibility that said sewer line might someday leak and seriously pollute the river, was the concern over possibly increasing residential development on the Blue Ridge. The view of the Blue Ridge is part of Jefferson County’s appeal, and therefore critical to tourism promotion.

But I digress. The appearance by WVAW before CTUB was preceded by a meeting between WVAW executives and Charles Town Mayor Bob Trainor that many considered “secret.” I certainly do not think that was Mayor Trainor’s intent.

I believe it critical that the cities, towns and PSDs of the Eastern Panhandle not permit WVAW to take over their operations. Every time WVAW has taken over such operations, water and sewer rates have increased (thanks to the PSC).

Also, if your electric, water or sewer service comes from a public entity (city, town or PSD) there is some local accountability. You can complain to responsible local officials (city or town council, or county commission), if you don’t like the service you’re getting. Local governments have some control over those publicly-owned utilities. However, if you’re being served by WVAW, the only place you would have to complain would be the PSC in Charleston. In that case, I wish you luck, you will surely need it.

John Doyle is a 26-year former member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, who is currently running for a seat in the state senate. He can be reached at rjohndoyle@comcast.net.