NITRO, W.Va. — The City of Nitro is continuing its conversation on a potential sale of the Nitro Regional Wastewater Facility to West Virginia American Water Company.
The city held the first of three forums Monday evening where members of the community could come by and ask questions or voice their opinions on the topic.
While not many residents sprung on the first opportunity Monday, Nitro Mayor Dave Casebolt layed out the process between the city and West Virginia American Water. Casebolt says the city has explored its options and has been in talks with the company for quite a while.
“This process has been going on for two years,” Casebolt said. “They first approached us around the first of September two years ago, so we’ve been negotiating back and forth looking at every potential option including selling to Putnam PSD. We have weighted every option available, and it just keeps coming back to the same thing, we just have a utility we can’t afford to own.”
Harry Miller, a board member for the Nitro Regional Wastewater Utility, says the main part of the utility dates back to the beginning of the town.
“The original part of the system in the town was built in 1918 when the government-built Nitro,” Miller said. “Other parts have been added on over the years and the system is old. It needs upkeep, some parts of it are going to need to be replaced.”
Casebolt says the investment needed for the wastewater system would all but guarantee rate increases for customers if no sale is made.
“We’re looking at a potential of over $100 million of investment and trying to spread that amongst 4,000 customers, and so, we would have to increase rates substantially,” Casebolt said. “Right now, we need to do a 55% increase, so it’s just too much we have to do with too few customers.”
Casebolt says West Virginia American Water Company is prepared to put the investment in the plant if a deal goes through.
“West Virginia America Water’s intentions are to invest $39.7 million within the first five years,” Casebolt said. “That’s some separation projects and some work they need to do down at the plant.”
Miller says there has been plenty of dialogue between the two sides during negotiations.
“We’ve negotiated with them, done a lot of due diligence trying to make sure that our employees are taken care of, that the concerns that we have with the water company’s buyout are addressed,” Miller said.
Nitro will hold two more forums where citizens can come and learn more about the potential agreement from Nitro City Council members, Mayor Casebolt, and members of the Nitro Regional Wastewater Utility.
The second forum will be on Wednesday, October 2 from 5-7 p.m. at West Sattes Community Center. The third and final forum will be on Monday, October 8 from 5-7 p.m. at Nitro High School.