By Stephen Smoot
The Town of Wardensville has battled mightily against a number of challenges to come into compliance with regulations related to their water and sewer infrastructure over the past few years. In recent weeks, the West Virginia Public Service Commission has rendered decisions regarding the Town and official complaints lodged against it.
The first complaint addressed came from a resident on Jan 26. The complaint alleged a “public health risk” due to an ongoing Failure to Filter violation in place since April of 2021. Town of Wardensville was forced to issue an indefinite boil water notice on Christmas Eve, 2025. The complaint included the detail that in Nov of 2023 they received a notice that it would be upgrading its water system within 18 months, which had not occurred at the time of the complaint for various documented reasons.
The complaint requested that the PSC, according to PSC documents “(1) Conduct a review of the Town’s water system; (2) determine if its in compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act (“SDWA’) and Surface Water Treatment Rule; (3) review why the Town missed its deadline to upgrade the water system; (4) review the rate increases the Town implemented since April 2021; (5) determine if a reduction in rates is Ny warranted while the Town is not providing potable water; (6) require the Town to for the residents. ~ provide a corrective action plan with deadlines; and (7) recommend interim protections for the residents.”
The Town responded with an explanation of its engagement with the State Bureau of Public Health and how that had included changes in how the Town was engaged between the change of gubernatorial administrations.
The PSC dismissed the case, stating that no complaints were made publicly against the rate increases despite the troubles with the system. Furthermore, they explained the PSC had no jurisdiction over other matters described.
On May 5, the PSC dismissed another complaint against the Town of Wardensville. This was brought on by the PSC itself as the Town had not submitted a legally required annual report whose deadline was June 30, 2025. Since the Town provided the report on May 5, an administrative law judge dismissed the case the same day with no actions taken.
