West Virginia American Water to Acquire Nitro Wastewater System for $20 Million
NITRO, W.Va. (WSAZ) – West Virginia American Water has reached an agreement to purchase the wastewater system assets of the Nitro Regional Wastewater Authority for $20 million. The deal, formally submitted to the Public Service Commission of West Virginia (PSC) this week, follows a decisive vote by the Nitro City Council in October, where a majority of members supported the sale.
Robert Burton, President of West Virginia American Water, expressed optimism about the acquisition, emphasizing the need for significant investment in Nitro’s wastewater infrastructure. “Nitro’s system is in need of investment to help ensure compliance with stringent environmental regulations,” he stated. The company plans to enhance the system’s resilience, ensuring it meets community needs and complies with future regulations.
The agreement includes the acquisition of treatment plants and operational facilities, and West Virginia American Water will extend employment offers to employees of the Nitro Regional Wastewater Utility. If the PSC grants approval, the transaction is expected to close by the end of Q2 2025. Customers of the Nitro Regional Wastewater Utility will gradually transition to West Virginia American Water’s wastewater rates, with rate adjustments subject to PSC oversight.
Mayor Dave Casebolt highlighted the urgency of this transition, noting that the current 60-year-old treatment plant and parts of the nearly century-old collection system require substantial upgrades. He articulated the benefits of partnering with West Virginia American Water, stating, “Their expertise and resources will bring much-needed upgrades to the system, improving service for our residents while ensuring that our infrastructure can meet the needs of future generations.”
The Nitro wastewater system currently serves around 4,500 customer connections across Kanawha and Putnam counties.
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